Salary Range
Low (10th %)$38,700
Median$48,630
High (90th %)$75,460
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Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.
The automation risk for the occupation "Patternmakers, Wood" is assessed at 48.1%, only slightly lower than the base risk of 48.8%. This moderate risk reflects a mixed landscape regarding the replacement of human labor by automation. Many key tasks require both manual dexterity and cognitive involvement, meaning some degree of work can efficiently be automated, while the remainder still benefits from human oversight and adaptability. "Patternmakers, Wood" are responsible for designing and constructing forms and patterns used in castings and moldings, a field with ongoing technological development but persistent need for specialized expertise. Among the most automatable tasks in this occupation are those relying on routine physical activity and structured decision-making. Selecting lumber to be used for patterns, collecting and storing patterns and lumber, and reading blueprints or specifications to determine pattern sizes and machine setups are all tasks that can be streamlined or delegated to machines with current technologies. These processes involve steps that are repetitive and rule-based, such as material selection via standardized criteria, managing inventory logistics, or transferring digital blueprint data to production equipment—all areas seeing rapid advancement through automation in manufacturing settings. However, several key tasks remain relatively resistant to automation due to their reliance on human judgment and nuanced decision-making. Issuing patterns to specific machine operators requires understanding workflows and prioritizing project needs that are not always explicitly programmable. Inventorying equipment, ordering parts, and managing supplies demand contextual awareness and sometimes negotiation skills, which are harder to mechanize. Additionally, computing dimensions, areas, volumes, and weights—though mathematically straightforward—often necessitates a level of critical thinking for unique projects or custom work. Bottleneck skills such as originality, rated at 2.9% and 2.5%, underscore the necessity of creative problem-solving, further reducing the plausibility of complete automation in this trade.
Filter by Automatable Status
Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
Non-Automatable
Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
Non-Automatable
Divide patterns into sections according to shapes of castings to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
Partially Automatable
Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.
Partially Automatable
Correct patterns to compensate for defects in castings.
Partially Automatable
Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and lathes to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
Non-Automatable
Finish completed products or models with shellac, lacquer, wax, or paint.
Non-Automatable
Estimate costs for patternmaking jobs.
Partially Automatable
Mark identifying information such as colors or codes on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods.
Automatable
Repair broken or damaged patterns.
Partially Automatable
Maintain pattern records for reference.
Automatable
Glue fillets along interior angles of patterns.
Non-Automatable
Construct wooden models, templates, full scale mock-ups, jigs, or molds for shaping parts of products.
Non-Automatable
Compute dimensions, areas, volumes, and weights.
Automatable
Issue patterns to designated machine operators.
Automatable
Select lumber to be used for patterns.
Partially Automatable
Collect and store patterns and lumber.
Partially Automatable
Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
Partially Automatable
Lay out patterns on wood stock and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products, based on blueprint specifications and sketches, and using marking and measuring devices.
Partially Automatable
Inventory equipment and supplies, ordering parts and tools as necessary.
Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningLearning StrategiesComplex Problem SolvingEquipment MaintenanceManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Personnel ResourcesTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceWritingSpeakingMathematicsCritical ThinkingActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperations MonitoringOperation and Control
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTherapy and CounselingSales and Marketing
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationGetting InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with Computers
3D Systems Geomagic Design XAutodesk AutoCADMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookComputer aided design CAD softwareDelcam PowerMILL3D Systems Geomagic Design XDelcam PowerMILLMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookAutodesk AutoCADMastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing softwareMastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Excel
Boilermakers
Low15.98%
Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.
Carpenters
Low17.84%
Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.
Sheet Metal Workers
Low29.90%
Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Low28.35%
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Low25.88%
Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium47.82%
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Machinists
Medium41.66%
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Medium47.80%
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers.
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Medium46.07%
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Foundry Mold and Coremakers
Medium45.76%
Make or form wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries.
Tool and Die Makers
Medium42.07%
Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
Medium33.53%
Lay out reference points and dimensions on metal or plastic stock or workpieces, such as sheets, plates, tubes, structural shapes, castings, or machine parts, for further processing. Includes shipfitters.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Medium53.64%
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Low29.58%
Cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles or set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, and mortisers to surface, cut, or shape lumber or to fabricate parts for wood products.
Model Makers, Wood
Medium42.20%
Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Medium40.69%
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
Etchers and Engravers
Medium44.61%
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Medium44.30%
Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
Low13.87%
Cut or carve stone according to diagrams and patterns.
Craft Artists
Medium47.40%
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
Commercial and Industrial Designers
Medium44.65%
Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Sewers, Hand
Low11.23%
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Low22.39%
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
Medium34.83%
Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.
Potters, Manufacturing
Medium37.41%
Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.