Jobs Similar to Patternmakers (Metal and Plastic)
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to patternmakers (metal and plastic), according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Etchers and Engravers and Model Makers (Metal and Plastic).
Patternmakers (Metal and Plastic): $58,000 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
- 1Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $52,800 (−9%) · High school · Same group
- 2Etchers and Engravers
79% similar · $43,310 (−25%) · High school
- 3Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $63,340 (+9%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 4Model Makers, Wood
78% similar · $56,550 (−2%) · Training or associate
- 5Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
77% similar · $46,550 (−20%) · High school · Same group
- 6Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
77% similar · $49,080 (−15%) · High school · Same group
- 7Patternmakers, Wood
77% similar · $49,630 (−14%) · Training or associate
- 8Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
77% similar · $46,330 (−20%) · High school · Same group
- 9Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
77% similar · $51,330 (−12%) · High school
- 10Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
77% similar · $63,870 (+10%) · High school · Same group
- 11Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
76% similar · $46,170 (−20%) · High school
- 12Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
76% similar · $38,760 (−33%) · High school
- 13Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
76% similar · $50,690 (−13%) · High school
- 14Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
76% similar · $47,920 (−17%) · High school · Same group
- 15Tool and Die Makers
76% similar · $64,050 (+10%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 16Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
76% similar · $47,180 (−19%) · High school · Same group
- 17Tire Builders
75% similar · $57,390 (−1%) · High school
- 18Machinists
75% similar · $58,750 (+1%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 19Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
75% similar · $53,750 (−7%) · High school · Same group
- 20Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
75% similar · $42,660 (−26%) · High school
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 patternmakers (metal and plastic).
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80% similar · High school
- Etchers and Engravers79% similar · High school
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic77% similar · High school
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic77% similar · High school
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic77% similar · High school
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters77% similar · High school
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for patternmakers (metal and plastic) also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where patternmakers (metal and plastic) is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Patternmakers, Wood (87)
- Model Makers, Wood (85)
- Etchers and Engravers (84)
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers (77)
- Prepress Technicians and Workers (76)
- Potters, Manufacturing (71)
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers (68)
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers (66)
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers (64)
- Gem and Diamond Workers (63)
Questions about jobs like patternmakers (metal and plastic)
What jobs are most similar to patternmakers (metal and plastic)?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (80% similar), Etchers and Engravers (79% similar), Model Makers (Metal and Plastic) (79% similar), Model Makers (Wood) (78% similar) and Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (77% similar).
Which jobs like patternmakers (metal and plastic) pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Layout Workers ($63,870, +10%; usually a high school diploma), Tool and Die Makers ($64,050, +10%; usually training or an associate degree) and Model Makers (Metal and Plastic) ($63,340, +9%; usually training or an associate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with patternmakers (metal and plastic) ($58,000). Without more preparation than patternmakers (metal and plastic) usually need: Layout Workers, Tool and Die Makers and Model Makers (Metal and Plastic).
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.