Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Patternmakers, Metal And Plastic
Patternmakers, Metal And Plastic lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Table of contents
What they do
Patternmakers, Metal And Plastic lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
- Program computerized numerical control machine tools.
- 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.
- Create computer models of patterns or parts, using modeling software.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Metal and Plastic Patternmakers design and create templates, patterns, or core boxes according to work orders, sample parts, or mockups. They clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.
A typical day for a Patternmaker, Metal and Plastic will also include:
- Create computer models of patterns or parts, using modeling software.
- Program computerized numerical control machine tools.
- Select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass.
- Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
- Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Metal and Plastic Patternmakers also paint or lacquer patterns. They may also assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Metal and Plastic Patternmakers apply plastic-impregnated fabrics or coats of sealing wax or lacquer to patterns used to produce plastic. They might also construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns.
In addition, they layout and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them repair and rework templates and patterns.
To some Metal and Plastic Patternmakers, it is also their responsibility to select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Demand for this career is growing.
Cons
Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Patternmakers, Metal And Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $30,160 to $37,220 per year or $14 to $18 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $73,640 | $35 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $60,940 | $29 |
| Median | $48,160 | $23 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $37,220 | $18 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $30,160 | $14 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Patternmakers, Metal And Plastic based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $70050 | $33.68 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $67290 | $32.35 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $58930 | $28.33 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $52500 | $25.24 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $51890 | $24.95 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $48760 | $23.44 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $48210 | $23.18 |
| Foundries | $47680 | $22.92 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $39810 | $19.14 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $34320 | $16.50 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Patternmakers, Metal And Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Patternmakers, Metal And Plastic including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundries | 1020 | $47680 | $22.92 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 480 | $51890 | $24.95 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 240 | $58930 | $28.33 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 170 | $39810 | $19.14 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 60 | $48760 | $23.44 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 50 | $48210 | $23.18 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 50 | $52500 | $25.24 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 50 | $70050 | $33.68 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $34320 | $16.50 | |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $67290 | $32.35 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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