Skilled Trades

Model Makers, Wood

Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.

Median salary

$51,850

Typical range

$25k – $96k

Job outlook

See national outlook

AI exposure

Plan a path to Model Makers, Wood

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

•Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
•Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners.
•Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices.
•Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
•Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.

Any field

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