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.
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Patternmakers, wood create precise wooden patterns that can be used in manufacturing and related processes. This role combines hands-on craftsmanship with careful measurement, planning, and problem solving. The national median annual salary of $52,520 indicates that experienced workers can reach a stable mid-level income in this occupation. However, the field is currently very small, with national employment measured at 0 and projected employment growth of -5.0%. Annual openings are also reported as 0, suggesting limited new hiring activity. People who succeed in this career typically bring together fine motor abilities, mechanical aptitude, and strong attention to detail with creativity and innovation. The work can also demand physical strength and stamina. For individuals who value precision, enjoy working with their hands, and are comfortable in a niche trade with constrained opportunities, patternmaking in wood can be a focused but specialized career path to consider.
Patternmakers, wood have a national median annual salary of $52,520. This figure places the occupation in a solid middle-income range and suggests that skilled workers can achieve a reasonably stable earning level. Because no additional salary breakdowns are provided by location or experience, it is not possible to distinguish higher- or lower-paying regions or stages of a career within this occupation. The reported national employment level of 0 and annual openings of 0 indicate that this is a very limited niche, which may constrain opportunities for rapid income growth through job changes or promotions. Still, for individuals who attain and maintain employment in this occupation, the median pay level shows that employers value the combination of technical skill, precision, and hands-on craftsmanship that patternmakers, wood bring to their work.
The current labor-market picture for patternmakers, wood is highly constrained. National employment is reported as 0, and projected employment growth is -5.0%. Annual openings are also measured at 0. Together, these data indicate that this is a very small and shrinking occupation with few new positions expected to become available. For job seekers, this suggests that entering the field may be challenging, and opportunities to move between employers or regions may be limited. The negative projected growth rate signals that overall demand is expected to decline rather than expand. Individuals considering this career should be prepared for a niche market where positions may be rare and competition for available roles could be significant. Those already working as patternmakers, wood may need to monitor changes in demand closely and be ready to adapt their skills if opportunities shift over time.
For patternmakers, wood, there are no listed top states or metro areas by opportunity score. This lack of specific geographic rankings suggests that, based on the available information, no particular region can be highlighted as offering relatively stronger opportunity for this occupation. With national employment reported as 0 and projected employment growth at -5.0%, the occupation appears to have a very limited footprint across the country. Because no meaningful differences between states or metro areas are provided, prospective workers cannot rely on current data to target specific locations as more favorable. Instead, decisions about where to pursue this career may need to be guided by individual job postings or specific employer locations rather than broader regional trends. Anyone exploring this path should be prepared for the possibility that job opportunities, when they appear, may be scattered and not concentrated in distinctive geographic clusters.
The typical education requirement for patternmakers, wood is a high school diploma or equivalent. This means that entry into the occupation does not generally require a college degree, making it accessible to individuals who complete secondary education and are ready to move directly into a skilled hands-on role. However, success in this career is tied closely to a strong skill set. Fine motor abilities and mechanical skills support the precise, tool-intensive nature of the work. Mathematics and science help with accurate measurements and understanding how patterns fit into broader technical processes. Being detail oriented, using critical and analytical thinking, and applying problem solving and decision making skills are important for achieving accuracy and addressing issues as they arise. Creativity and innovation, along with project management and physical strength and stamina, round out a profile that blends craftsmanship, planning, and physical capability.
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