Career Explorer Production
Human edge, steady
Patternmakers, metal and plastic
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Changing faster than most: more resilient than 25% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by -22.8% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on physical dexterity.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $58,000
- Job growth to 2035
- -22.8%
- Openings a year
- 100
- People doing it (2025)
- 1,500
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment
- Program computer systems or production equipment
- Plan work activities
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Operate cutting or grinding equipment
- Assemble products or work aids
- Repair workpieces or products
What the work looks like
- Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.
- Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
- Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.
- Repair and rework templates and patterns.
- Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as some patternmaking tasks are done by software and 3D printers, requiring fewer of these workers.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plasticHuman edge, growing, Index 96, +5.8%
- MachinistsHuman edge, steady, Index 52, +1.0%
- Cabinetmakers and bench carpentersHuman edge, steady, Index 59, -2.9%
- Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblersHuman edge, steady, Index 46, -5.6%
Also known as: Die Cast Die Maker, Journeyman Patternmaker, Layout Technician (Layout Tech), Metal Patternmaker, Fixture Builder, Metal Mold Maker, Model Maker, Mold Maker.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.