Jobs Similar to Model Makers (Metal and Plastic)
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to model makers (metal and plastic), according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Tool and Die Makers, Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing and Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators.
Model Makers (Metal and Plastic): $63,340 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Tool and Die Makers
82% similar · $64,050 (+1%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 2Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
80% similar · $43,380 (−32%) · High school
- 3Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
80% similar · $50,690 (−20%) · High school
- 4Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $52,800 (−17%) · High school · Same group
- 5Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $58,000 (−8%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 6Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $49,080 (−23%) · High school · Same group
- 7Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
79% similar · $50,060 (−21%) · High school · Same group
- 8Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
78% similar · $38,760 (−39%) · High school
- 9Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
78% similar · $46,330 (−27%) · High school · Same group
- 10Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
78% similar · $46,550 (−27%) · High school · Same group
- 11Patternmakers, Wood
78% similar · $49,630 (−22%) · Training or associate
- 12Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
78% similar · $46,680 (−26%) · High school
- 13Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
77% similar · $50,620 (−20%) · High school · Same group
- 14Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
77% similar · $42,660 (−33%) · High school
- 15Machinists
77% similar · $58,750 (−7%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 16Etchers and Engravers
76% similar · $43,310 (−32%) · High school
- 17Industrial Machinery Mechanics
76% similar · $64,520 (+2%) · Training or associate
- 18Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
76% similar · $53,710 (−15%) · High school
- 19Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
76% similar · $46,570 (−26%) · High school
- 20Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
76% similar · $47,180 (−26%) · High school · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than model makers (metal and plastic).
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing80% similar · High school
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators80% similar · High school
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic79% similar · High school
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic79% similar · High school
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners79% similar · High school
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders78% similar · High school
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for model makers (metal and plastic) also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where model makers (metal and plastic) is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Patternmakers, Wood (85)
- Model Makers, Wood (81)
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters (80)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (76)
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers (75)
- Etchers and Engravers (75)
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters (74)
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (69)
- Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers (67)
- Watch and Clock Repairers (65)
Questions about jobs like model makers (metal and plastic)
What jobs are most similar to model makers (metal and plastic)?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Tool and Die Makers (82% similar), Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing (80% similar), Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (80% similar), Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (79% similar) and Patternmakers (Metal and Plastic) (79% similar).
Which jobs like model makers (metal and plastic) pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Industrial Machinery Mechanics ($64,520, +2%; usually training or an associate degree) and Tool and Die Makers ($64,050, +1%; usually training or an associate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with model makers (metal and plastic) ($63,340). Without more preparation than model makers (metal and plastic) usually need: Industrial Machinery Mechanics and Tool and Die Makers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.