Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Median $58,000
Occupation · SOC 51-4061
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic: pay and where the jobs are
What model makers, metal and plastic earn in the U.S., how pay varies across workers and states, and tools to plan around it.
National pay, May 2025
$63,340 median annual wage
- Mean (average) annual wage
- $68,570
- Median hourly wage
- $30.45
- Mean hourly wage
- $32.97
- Employment
- 2,610
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (released 2026-05-15), SOC 51-4061.
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See where your pay falls among model makers, metal and plastic nationally and in your state. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
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How much do model makers, metal and plastic make?
The median annual wage for model makers, metal and plastic was $63,340 in May 2025, so half of workers earned more and half earned less. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,760 and the highest-paid 10% more than $99,010. As an hourly rate, the median is $30.45. About 2,610 people work in this occupation nationwide. The highest state medians are in California ($92,960), Florida ($79,930) and New York ($77,710). After taxes and local prices, though, a median paycheck goes furthest in Florida.
Pay ladder
What each step of the pay range for model makers, metal and plastic looks like per month. Take-home here includes federal tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer; add your state in the paycheck calculator.
| Step | Annual | Hourly | Monthly gross | Monthly after federal tax & FICA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,760 | $19.12 | $3,313 | $2,844 |
| 25th percentile | $47,360 | $22.77 | $3,947 | $3,353 |
| Median | $63,340 | $30.45 | $5,278 | $4,423 |
| 75th percentile | $86,740 | $41.70 | $7,228 | $5,821 |
| 90th percentile | $99,010 | $47.60 | $8,251 | $6,540 |
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic: pay by state
15 states and territories have a published median, sorted from highest to lowest. The last two columns are our estimates: the median after 2026 federal and state taxes, and that take-home restated in national-average prices.
1
$62,913 take-home in national prices
2
$61,975 take-home in national prices
3
$56,913 take-home in national prices
Where a median model makers, metal and plastic paycheck goes furthest after 2026 taxes and BEA price levels.
| State | Employment | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Median after tax* | In national prices† |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 260 | $92,960 | $59,800 | $153,640 | $68,619 | $61,975 |
| Florida | 50 | $79,930 | $38,640 | $106,990 | $65,061 | $62,913 |
| New York | 120 | $77,710 | $62,030 | $107,120 | $59,533 | $55,163 |
| New Jersey | 70 | $72,340 | $41,990 | $89,330 | $56,778 | $52,183 |
| Illinois | Not published | $68,890 | $42,960 | $68,900 | $54,029 | $54,052 |
| Massachusetts | 100 | $67,830 | $52,000 | $105,680 | $53,065 | $50,176 |
| Texas | 230 | $65,920 | $38,630 | $102,990 | $55,147 | $56,819 |
| Indiana | 50 | $62,620 | $34,910 | $73,340 | $50,677 | $54,300 |
| Iowa | 40 | $61,550 | $51,030 | $78,480 | $49,948 | $56,913 |
| Ohio | 60 | $60,880 | $46,770 | $76,080 | $49,866 | $53,750 |
| Michigan | 710 | $60,540 | $38,060 | $99,010 | $48,502 | $50,409 |
| Rhode Island | 40 | $55,560 | $34,440 | $78,890 | $44,745 | $43,747 |
| Utah | 60 | $53,650 | $39,760 | $94,360 | $43,406 | $43,904 |
| Pennsylvania | 40 | $52,990 | $37,670 | $112,030 | $43,094 | $44,166 |
| North Carolina | Not published | $45,760 | $39,710 | $60,630 | $37,631 | $39,895 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (released 2026-05-15), SOC 51-4061. *Our estimate for a single filer paid biweekly with no pre-tax deductions or local tax, 2026 federal and state rules. †Take-home ÷ BEA Regional Price Parity × 100 (2024 price levels).
Sources
- OEWS May 2025 (oesm25nat.zip) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 2026-10-09.
- OEWS May 2025 (oesm25st.zip) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 2026-10-09.