Metal and Plastic Patternmakers
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Overview
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
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Titles for this career often contain these words
PatternmakerPatternDieMakerExtrusionMetalLoftsmanChartWriterTechnicianTemplateCutterStencilAcousticalTileAllAroundBoilermakerComputerCastInspectorCoordinatorCorrectorFixtureBuilderFoundryFreelanceJourneymanLayoutBenchMoldToolerCheckerDeveloperFitterProgrammerMechanicRepairPersonScratcherWorkerPlasterPlasticsSampleWaxMolder
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Responsibilities and activities

Metal and plastic machine workers typically do the following:

  • Set up and adjust machines according to blueprints
  • Monitor machines status to ensure proper functioning
  • Insert material into machines, either manually or using material handling equipment
  • Operate shaping and forming equipment, such as metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines
  • Operate stock removal metalworking machines, such as lathes or mills
  • Adjust machine settings for temperature, cycle times, and speed and feed rates
  • Remove finished products and document output in a database
  • Measure, test, and inspect finished workpieces according to blueprints
  • Observe and adjust or replace dull or damaged cutting tools

Metal and plastic machine workers operate equipment that creates the parts for consumer products. In general, these workers are separated into two groups: those who set up machines for operation and those who operate machines during production. However, many workers perform both tasks.

Although many workers both set up and operate machines, some specialize in being either a machine setter or a machine operator and tender.

Machine setters, or setup workers, prepare the machines before production, do test runs, and, if necessary, adjust and make minor repairs to the machinery before and during operation. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) setters upload computer control programs.

After installing the tools into a machine, setup workers often produce the initial batch of goods, inspect the products, and turn over the machine to an operator.

Machine operators and tenders monitor the machinery during production.

After a setter prepares a machine for production, an operator observes the machine and the products it makes. Operators may have to load the machine with materials for production or adjust machine speeds during production. They must periodically inspect the parts that a machine produces to ensure everything works properly, repairing equipment as needed. For example, the parts a machine produces may show defects if the cutting tool inside a machine becomes dull or damaged after extended use. When that happens, it is common for an operator to remove the worn tool and replace it with a new one produced by tool and die makers. Operators may fix minor problems themselves but may have an industrial machinery mechanic fix more serious problems.

Setters, operators, and tenders are usually identified by the type of machine they work with. Job duties generally vary with the size of the manufacturer and the type of machine being operated. Although some workers specialize in one or two types of machines, others are trained to set up or operate a variety of them. Automation often allows machine operators to control multiple machines at the same time.

In addition, production techniques, such as team-oriented “lean” manufacturing, require machine operators to rotate between different machines. Rotating assignments results in more varied work but also requires workers to have a range of skills.

The following are examples of types of metal and plastic machine workers:

Computer numerically controlled tool operators operate CNC equipment or robots to perform functions on metal or plastic workpieces.

Computer numerically controlled tool programmers develop computer programs to control the machining or processing of metal or plastic parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate machines to saw, cut, shear, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic materials.

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate drilling machines to drill, bore, mill, or countersink metal or plastic workpieces.

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate machines to extrude (pull out) thermoplastic or metal materials in the form of tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate machines that shape or form metal or plastic into parts.

Foundry mold and coremakers make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate grinding and related machine tools that remove excess material from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff or polish metal or plastic workpieces.

Heat-treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction machines, soaking pits, or vacuum equipment, to temper, harden, anneal, or heat treat metal or plastic objects.

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, or form metal or plastic materials, such as bars, rods, and castings.

Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric-induction, and oxygen furnaces. These furnaces may be used to melt and refine metal before casting.

Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate milling or planing machines to shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic workpieces.

Model makers set up and operate machines, such as milling and engraving machines, to make working models of metal or plastic objects. They may also use 3D printing technology.

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products.

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate two or more types of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

Patternmakers lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns and core molds.

Plating machine setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate plating machines and perform chemical checks for coating metal or plastic products with zinc, copper, nickel, or some other metal to protect or decorate surfaces.

Pourers and casters operate computer- or hand-controlled machines to pour and regulate the flow of molten metal into molds to produce castings or ingots.

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders set up or operate machines to roll steel or plastic or to flatten, temper, or reduce the thickness of materials.

Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders (including workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines) set up or operate welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies.

Salary
Median salary: $48,160 annually
Half of those employed in this career earn between $37,220 and $60,940.
$48K$0$20K$40K$60K$80K
Context: Median Salary
How do salaries for this career compare to other jobs' salaries?
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Salary growth for metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters
Is this job likely to reward you for sticking with it through pay raises and promotions? The higher a job’s “experience quotient,” the more you are likely to get as you stay there.
Experience quotient percentile
Take a minute to look at how much you might expect your salary to increase with each five years' experience, as well as how the numbers working at each age change. Does this seem to be a job for the young or the old, or could it be a career offering steady salary growth for many years?
Salary distribution
$46K$30K$42K$43K$36K$36K$35K$42K$25K$0$20K$40K$60K$80K$100K20-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960-64
Number employed
02K4K6K20-2425-2930-3435-3940-4445-4950-5455-5960-64
About Metal and Plastic Patternmakers
How do benefits for this career compare to other jobs? The availability of health care, especially employer provided health care, and pension plans can add significantly to the value of compensation you receive in a career. These charts compare how this career compares to other careers with regard to health care and pension plans.
Employee has health insurance
Employer is providing health insurance
Employer-provided pension plan is available
Worker concerns
Some jobs are more stressful than others, and some are just plain dangerous. The following list gives the percentages of metal and plastic patternmakers who report hazardous or difficult situations typically occurring at least once a week.
  • Time Pressure (93%)
  • Exposed to Contaminants (79%)
  • Hazardous Equipment (67%)
  • Responsible for Others' Health (66%)
  • High Conflict Frequency (43%)
  • Consequence of Error (42%)
SOURCES:
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Personality and skills
Can you see yourself in the ranks of Metal and Plastic Patternmakers? Here are the skills and traits that could lead to success.
Computer skills
Metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor.
Mechanical skills
These workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work.
Physical stamina
Metal and plastic machine workers must be able to stand for long periods and do repetitive tasks.
Physical strength
Metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place.
Education pathways to this career
Education attained by metal and plastic patternmakers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), metal and plastic patternmakers typically hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
Sometimes the typical education identified by the BLS differs a bit from the reality of the how much education current workers actually have. The donut shows the education level held by people currently working as metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters as reported in responses to the American Community Survey.
Details: Education and training recommended for metal and plastic patternmakers

Although metal and plastic machine workers typically need a high school diploma, CNC tool programmers usually need coursework beyond high school. Some community colleges and other schools offer courses and certificate programs in operating metal and plastics machines including CNC programming.

For metal and plastic machine workers, high school classes in computer programming, math, and vocational technology may be useful.

Details: Licensing and certification recommended for metal and plastic patternmakers

Certification can show competence and can be helpful for advancement. The National Institute for Metalworking Skills  (NIMS) offers certification in numerous metalworking specializations.

Education level of Metal and Plastic Model Makers,Patternmakers, and Molding Machine Setters
Only 6% of metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Education attained by metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters
None
High School
Some College
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Professional Degree
Doctorate
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Programs recommended by the Department of Education
The Department of Education recommends the following college degree programs as preparation for this career. You can click the program row to learn more about the program and explore a list of schools that offer the program.
Number of degrees awarded in 2018
Education
Education level of awarded degrees
Assoc./Cert.
Bachelor's
Graduate
Gender
Gender of graduates
Men
Women
Race/Origin
Race/origin of graduates
White
Minority
International
Where are the jobs
State-by-state employment numbers
Some careers tend to be centered in specific parts of the country. For example, most jobs in fashion are in New York or California. Let's see if your dream job is easy to find in your dream location! We have a few choices for viewing the data that can help you get a full employment picture.
Select a state to see local area details
Number of Metal and Plastic Model Makers,Patternmakers, and Molding Machine Setters per 1,000 workers (ACS)
AKMEWIVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILMINYMAORUTWYSDIAINOHPANJCTRICANVCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFLPR
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Job density versus job count
Which states hire the most metal and plastic patternmakers? We wonder if that's a fair question since states come in all sizes, so instead let's start with the question of which states have the highest density of people working as metal and plastic patternmakers. You can choose to view the number of jobs per state if you prefer.
Salaries by state
Let's get a feel for where metal and plastic patternmakers earn the highest salaries. There are several choices for which data we consider and how we view that data, and each can lead to different conclusions, so please read on...
Median salary versus state ratio
We use two methods to compare salaries across states:
  • In-state comparisons: the ratio of median (middle) salaries for metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters compared to the median salary for all people working in each state, or
  • Median salary: the unaltered median salaries for metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters.
We hope the ratio allows perspective about how salaries may compare to the regional cost-of-living.
The darkest shading corresponds to states in which metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters earn the highest salary when compared to other jobs in the state. We think this figure might be a better indicator than the actual salary for your buying power as a state resident.
Select a state to see local area details
Location-adjusted median salary for Metal and Plastic Model Makers,Patternmakers, and Molding Machine Setters (ACS for all specialties)
AKMEWIVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILMINYMAORUTWYSDIAINOHPANJCTRICANVCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFLPR
Employment
5% of Metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters are working part time.
We’ve found that some jobs have a huge number of part-time workers, and typically that is because they are unable to find full-time work or the job itself can’t provide full-time hours. With 5% part-time workers, this occupation has a lower percentage of part-time workers than 77% of careers.
5%0%20%40%60%80%100%
Employer types
This donut shares the break-down of workers by employer type, giving us a picture of what employers most typically hire for this career.
Employers of undefined (ACS)
Private for-profit
Private not-for-profit
Local government
State government
Federal government
Self-employed incorporated
Self-employed not incorporated
Working without pay
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Distribution: Salaries of metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters by type of employer
Here are the salary distributions based on employer type.
$37K$37K$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000Private for-profitAll
Gender
Metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters and gender
With 17% women, this occupation has a lower percentage of women than 70% of careers.
Gender of Metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters
Men (83%)
Women (17%)
Distribution: salaries by gender
Does gender greatly influence your salary in this career? The closer the bars are, the less discrepancy there is.
$31K$39K$0$100K$200K$300KWomenMen
We only include salary data when the survey error is less than 20%, so you may see only partial information for some categories.
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Context: Women in the workforce
How does this career compare to other careers with regard to the percentage of women in the career.
17%0%20%40%60%80%100%
Context: Salary inequity
The median (middle) salary for all full-time male workers in the US exceeds the full-time median salary for women by 19%, and the difference for metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters tops that, with the median salary for men 25% higher than the median salary for women.
25%0%20%40%60%80%100%
Race/Origin
Race and origin of Metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters
This donut shows the distribution of race and origin among those employed as Metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters.
Race/origin of metal and plastic model makers,patternmakers, and molding machine setters
White (77% )
Black (11% )
Other (5% )
Asian (4% )
Multiracial (2% )
American Indian (1% )
Hispanic (0% )
Pacific Islander (0% )
Distribution: salaries by race/origin
Some careers might have a pay disparity based on race or origin, the closer the below bars are the less of a discrepancy is present.
$30K$30K$35K$38K$0$20K$40K$60K$80KOtherAsianBlackWhite
We only include salary data when the survey error is less than 20%, so you may see only partial information for some categories.