How much does a patternmaker make?
The median patternmaker in the United States earns $54,540 per year, about $26.22 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all patternmakers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-4062.
Patternmaker salary range
Pay for patternmakers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,150 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $79,690. The average (mean) wage of $57,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,150 | $18.82 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,520 | $22.85 | |
| Median (50th) | $54,540 | $26.22 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $66,590 | $32.02 | |
| 90th percentile | $79,690 | $38.31 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for patternmakers, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4062), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Patternmaker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Patternmakers earn the most in Illinois at $80,190 a year, and the least in North Carolina at $37,970. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $80,190 | 40 |
| Michigan | $73,730 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $66,120 | 40 |
| California | $65,570 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $63,480 | N/A |
| Ohio | $63,420 | 120 |
| Iowa | $63,300 | 40 |
| Washington | $59,740 | 40 |
| Indiana | $53,980 | 160 |
| Texas | $52,960 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,000 | 170 |
| Alabama | $48,660 | 160 |
| Wisconsin | $47,540 | 210 |
| Tennessee | $38,680 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $37,970 | 70 |
State median wages for patternmakers, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4062), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for patternmakers
The BLS projects employment of patternmakers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 22.8%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 100 openings a year for patternmakers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a patternmaker
The typical entry-level education for patternmakers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a patternmaker earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Illinois, $80,190) and the lowest (North Carolina, $37,970) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,570 people work as patternmakers in the United States. At $54,540 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Patternmaker salary FAQ
How much does a patternmaker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a patternmaker is $26.22. The middle half of patternmakers earn between $22.85 and $32.02 per hour.
What is the highest patternmaker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of patternmakers earn more than $79,690 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a patternmaker make a year?
The median annual salary for a patternmaker is $54,540. The average (mean) wage of $57,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a patternmaker a well paid job?
At $54,540 a year, a patternmaker earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,570 people work as patternmakers in the United States.
Which state pays patternmakers the most?
Illinois has the highest median salary for patternmakers at $80,190 a year. Michigan ($73,730) and Minnesota ($66,120) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a patternmaker a good career?
Employment of patternmakers is projected to shrink 22.8% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a patternmaker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for patternmakers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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