Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic Salary
Production Occupations · 1.5K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$58,000
Median hourly
$28
Average annual
$60,610
Typical range
$42,460–$82,590
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic is $58,000 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $28 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates..
Most earn between $42,460 and $82,590 a year. There are roughly 1.5K people employed as patternmakers, metal and plastic in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic.
- Hourly
- $27.88
- Daily
- $223
- Weekly
- $1,115
- Bi-weekly
- $2,231
- Monthly
- $4,833
- Annual
- $58,000
$58,000 a year is around the 50th percentile for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastics. The median is $58,000.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Ohio$97,690
- 2Minnesota$74,900
- 3Massachusetts$65,210
- 4Iowa$63,420
- 5Alabama$62,290
- 6Washington$59,800
- 7Indiana$54,740
- 8Pennsylvania$54,150
- 9Michigan$53,780
- 10Wisconsin$52,150
- 11Texas$49,390
- 12North Carolina$47,050
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$74,900
- 2Birmingham, AL$62,390
- 3Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ$54,980
- 4Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI$49,070
- 5Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$48,790
Related job titles
Employers advertise Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic roles under these titles.
- Acoustical Tile Patternmaker
- All-Around Patternmaker
- Boilermaker Loftsman
- Chart Writer
- Die Cast Die Maker
- Die Technician
- Extrusion Die Coordinator
- Extrusion Die Corrector
- Extrusion Die Template Maker
- Fixture Builder
- Foundry Patternmaker
- Freelance Patternmaker
- Loftsman
- Metal Bench Patternmaker
- Metal Pattern Maker
- Metal Patternmaker
Related occupations
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers$62,750
- Patternmakers, Wood$49,630
- Tool and Die Makers$64,050
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic$63,870
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic$63,340
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$46,170
- Etchers and Engravers$43,310
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand$42,660
What a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic does
- Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
- Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
- Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
- Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates.
- Repair and rework templates and patterns.
- Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.
- Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns.
- Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic make?
- The median annual wage for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic is $58,000 ($28 per hour). Pay ranges from about $42,460 at the 10th percentile to $82,590 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $60,610, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Patternmakers, Metal and Plastics the most?
- Ohio has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $97,690.
- Is Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 1.5K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic do?
- Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.; Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.; Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment..