Patternmakers (Metal and Plastic) build operation and control, operations monitoring and quality control analysis skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Patternmakers, Wood (85%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patternmakers, Wood | 85% | $49,630 | −14% | None |
| 2 | Model Makers, Wood | 82% | $56,550 | −2% | None |
| 3 | Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | 80% | $51,330 | −12% | None |
| 4 | Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | 77% | $62,750 | +8% | None |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 74% | $74,510 | +28% | None |
| 6 | Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | 74% | $46,170 | −20% | None |
| 7 | Etchers and Engravers | 74% | $43,310 | −25% | None |
| 8 | Tire Builders | 72% | $57,390 | −1% | None |
| 9 | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 72% | $53,710 | −7% | None |
| 10 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 72% | $50,690 | −13% | None |
Compared with Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic, median $58,000. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as patternmakers (metal and plastic) (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
85% skill match · $49,630 · −14% pay
Management of Financial Resources · Operations Analysis · Management of Material Resources
82% skill match · $56,550 · −2% pay
Operations Analysis · Service Orientation · Judgment and Decision Making
80% skill match · $51,330 · −12% pay
Instructing
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Patternmakers, Wood (85% skill match, median $49,630), Model Makers, Wood (82% skill match, median $56,550) and Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (80% skill match, median $51,330), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 11 pay more than patternmakers (metal and plastic) at the median. The biggest increases: Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers (+67%, $96,710), Gas Plant Operators (+51%, $87,820) and Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians (+43%, $82,890).
25 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.