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Skilled Trades

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers.

Median salary (BLS)

$63,340

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$40k – $99k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Model Makers, Metal and Plastic" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

    Entry / Junior

    $39,760

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

    Established

    $63,340

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

    Senior

    $81,175

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
  • •Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
  • •Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.
  • •Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
  • •Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.