Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Model makers, metal and plastic work in a small, specialized occupation with national employment of about 3,000. The role combines hands-on mechanical work with precision, creativity, and problem-solving, relying heavily on detail orientation, fine motor skills, and mathematics. Because these workers also draw on science knowledge, critical and analytical thinking, and computers and information technology, the field suits people who enjoy both technical and creative challenges. The typical education is a high school diploma or equivalent, so the main investment is in developing the right skills rather than completing an advanced degree. However, the projected employment growth of -18.2% and zero reported annual openings indicate a shrinking field with limited new positions. For people already in related metal, plastic, or machining roles, this career can represent a specialized path that builds on mechanical ability and physical strength and stamina, but prospective entrants should weigh the declining employment outlook carefully when planning their long-term career moves.
Model makers, metal and plastic earn a national median annual salary of $62,700, with some locations offering substantially higher pay. Among the top states by opportunity score, California shows a median salary of $92,960, and New York reports $77,710, both well above the national median for this occupation. At the metro level, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA stands out with a median salary of $94,950, while Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX reports $89,960 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $84,780. These figures suggest that geographic choice can make a significant difference in earnings for people in this role. For individuals able to target specific metros or states with higher median salaries, the earning potential may be notably stronger than the national median, while areas outside these highlighted regions may be closer to, or below, the overall national pay level for this occupation.
The labor market outlook for model makers, metal and plastic is notably constrained. National employment is about 3,000, indicating a relatively small occupation. Projected employment growth is -18.2%, and annual openings are reported as 0. Together, these figures point to a declining field with very limited opportunities for new entrants. Because the data show negative growth across the top states and metro areas as well, the contraction appears broad-based rather than limited to a single region. For career planners, this means that entering the occupation may be challenging, with fewer new positions becoming available over time and potential competition for any openings that do occur. Individuals considering this path may want to compare it with related options such as tool and die makers, machinists, drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, computer numerically controlled tool operators, or patternmakers, metal and plastic when evaluating long-term stability.
Career opportunities for model makers, metal and plastic vary by state and metro area, with some regions showing stronger salary levels and opportunity scores. At the state level, California ranks highest with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $92,960, and employment of 260. Massachusetts and New York follow closely with opportunity scores around 66 and 66, and median salaries of $67,830 and $77,710, respectively. Texas and New Jersey also appear in the top five, though with lower opportunity scores than the leading states. By metro, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has the highest opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $77,710. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA offers the highest listed metro salary at $94,950, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX also report median salaries near or above $85,000. These differences indicate that both pay levels and overall opportunity can vary substantially across regions, making location choice an important factor for this occupation.
The typical education requirement for model makers, metal and plastic is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who do not plan to pursue a college degree, provided they are ready to build a strong skill set aligned with the work. The top skills for this occupation emphasize being detail oriented, with strong mechanical ability and fine motor skills, supported by mathematics and science knowledge. Physical strength and stamina are also important, reflecting the hands-on, physically active nature of the work. Creativity and innovation, along with critical and analytical thinking, indicate that this role is not only about following instructions but also about solving problems and refining designs or processes. Finally, adaptability and competence with computers and information technology round out the profile, suggesting that ongoing learning and comfort with digital tools can help individuals meet the evolving demands within this specialized trade.
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