Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Die Cast Die Maker, Journeyman Patternmaker, Layout Technician (Layout Tech), Metal PatternmakerLay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 5 of its 15 tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 22.8% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 3.5% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other metal workers and plastic workers”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 5.4 hires for every 10 job openings in durable goods manufacturing, which employs about 97% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.5.4 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,290 | $49,680 to $62,390 | 110 |
| Indiana | $54,740 | $49,370 to $71,310 | 80 |
| Iowa | $63,420 | $61,460 to $80,880 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $65,210 | $64,890 to $66,440 | not published |
| Michigan | $53,780 | $43,300 to $60,340 | 250 |
| Minnesota | $74,900 | $67,960 to $74,900 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $47,050 | $38,270 to $64,070 | 40 |
| Ohio | $97,690 | $53,830 to $97,690 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,150 | $48,400 to $61,290 | 160 |
| Texas | $49,390 | $42,670 to $55,940 | 40 |
| Washington | $59,800 | $48,980 to $69,570 | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $52,150 | $49,070 to $72,510 | 230 |
Nationally: $58,000. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 5 of its 15 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers. | Not published |
| Not much | Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences. | Not published |
| Not much | Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment. | Not published |
| Not much | Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns. | Not published |
| Not much | Repair and rework templates and patterns. | Not published |
| Not much | Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders. | Not published |
See all 15 tasks
| AI + software | Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates. | Not published |
| Not much | Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments. | Not published |
| Not much | Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns. | Not published |
| AI + software | Design and create templates, patterns, or coreboxes according to work orders, sample parts, or mockups. | Not published |
| AI + software | Select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass. | Not published |
| AI + software | Program computerized numerical control machine tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Paint or lacquer patterns. | Not published |
| AI + software | Create computer models of patterns or parts, using modeling software. | Not published |
| Not much | Apply plastic-impregnated fabrics or coats of sealing wax or lacquer to patterns used to produce plastic. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 0 of the 15 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 15 tasks fall under 15 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #31 Program computer systems or production equipment
- #38 Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design materials or devices | |||
| Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment | |||
| Apply protective solutions or coatings | |||
| Assemble products or work aids | |||
| Operate cutting or grinding equipment | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes | |||
| Program computer systems or production equipment | |||
| Select materials or equipment for operations or projects |
Show all 15 activities
| Plan work activities | |||
| Repair workpieces or products | |||
| Clean workpieces, finished products, or other objects | |||
| Mark materials or objects for identification | |||
| Position materials or components for assembly | |||
| Smooth surfaces of objects or equipment | |||
| Join parts using soldering, welding, or brazing techniques |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A script or snippet19%
- Data or a spreadsheet12%
- An image or graphic9%
- Advice or a recommendation6%
- A document or report6%
How they worked with Claude
38% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for patternmakers, metal and plastic specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved in from
of 177 moves in
- 1 Production Workers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 29%
- 2 Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators High -9.4% 15%
- 3 Designers, All Other High +1.2% 10%
- 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
- 5 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 7%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 14% less than high school
- 52% high school
- 21% some college
- 8% associate's
- 4% bachelor's
- 1% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other metal workers and plastic workers” · 3,391 people surveyed.
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other metal workers and plastic workers”
1 program: Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 10 registered apprenticeships in this occupation. Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
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