Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic salary in the U.S.
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in the U.S. earn a median of $58,000 a year ($27.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,590 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $60,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for patternmakers, metal and plastic in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,460 | $20.42 |
| 25th percentile | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Median | $58,000 | $27.89 |
| 75th percentile | $69,960 | $33.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Average (mean) | $60,610 | $29.14 |
Half of patternmakers, metal and plastic earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,833.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,416.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,230.77 |
| Weekly | $1,115.38 |
| Hourly | $27.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $97,690 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $74,900 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $65,210 | n/a |
| Iowa | $63,420 | 90 |
| Alabama | $62,290 | 110 |
| Washington | $59,800 | 30 |
| Indiana | $54,740 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,150 | 160 |
| Michigan | $53,780 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $52,150 | 230 |
| Texas | $49,390 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $47,050 | 40 |
Best-paying metro areas for patternmakers, metal and plastic
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $74,900 | 50 |
| Birmingham, AL | $62,390 | 70 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $54,980 | 40 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $49,070 | 110 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $48,790 | 100 |
Metro areas with the most patternmakers, metal and plastic
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 110 | $49,070 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 100 | $48,790 |
| Birmingham, AL | 70 | $62,390 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 50 | $74,900 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 40 | $54,980 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
More: Production Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4062. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a patternmakers, metal and plastic make in the U.S.?
The median salary for patternmakers, metal and plastic in the U.S. is $58,000 a year, or $27.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid patternmakers, metal and plastic make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of patternmakers, metal and plastic in the U.S. earn at least $82,590 a year. The top 25% earn $69,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for patternmakers, metal and plastic in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,460 a year, and a quarter of patternmakers, metal and plastic earn $49,070 or less.
How many patternmakers, metal and plastic work in the U.S.?
About 1,470 patternmakers, metal and plastic are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.