Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Production
Blueprints, drawings, and sketches come first: they set the dimensions, machines, and order of operations for a prototype or model. Lathes, drill presses, punch presses, bandsaws, and CNC machines cut and form the parts; holes are drilled, countersunk, and reamed, then surfaces are ground, filed, and sanded to finished size. Precision measuring instruments and circuit testers check the work against specifications, and pieces get reworked until they meet them. A match for those who prefer reading drawings, running machine tools, and reworking parts until a model is exact.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$63'340
Median Wage Market Position
$63'340
What you might do
- Study drawings to plan materials and steps
- Set up lathes and mills to make models
- Program CNC machines to cut model parts
- Cut and shape metal with saws and files
- Measure parts to confirm they match the specs
- Rework pieces until they meet the required fit
Skills that matter
- Building working models from drawings
- Programming CNC machines for model parts
- Inspecting prototypes with measuring tools
- Picking the right machine for each cut
- Filing and sanding parts to finished size
- Reworking models that miss the standard
AI & the future of this role
CAD, CAM, and additive methods can already draft and cut many prototypes that once needed skilled machine time. Fit, finish, and translating vague design intent into a usable model still require craft, though software may steadily shrink that share.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details