What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Model Makers, Wood in the U.S. earn more than $56,550 a year — the middle 80% land between $34,800 and $98,050. About 280 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Model Makers, Wood”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$56,550typical pay / year
280people in this work
$98,050+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make4
Plan and lay out patterns or mock-ups
+Plan the full set of patterns and mock-ups for the new action-figure line, lay out each panel at actual scale…
Plan and lay out patterns or mock-ups
+Plan the full set of patterns and mock-ups for the new action-figure line, lay out each panel at actual scale on 3 sheets, note material, tolerances and protective coating, then flag anything needing approval before cutting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Use hand tools to shape models
+Shape the hero prototype using hand rasps, files and sanding blocks to match the sculpt while protecting…
Use hand tools to shape models
+Shape the hero prototype using hand rasps, files and sanding blocks to match the sculpt while protecting finished surfaces with low-tack film, keep a running note of tool progression and finish stages for the quality log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Verify dimensions and contours of models
+Verify all critical dimensions and contours on the molded tiger character against the master drawings, record…
Verify dimensions and contours of models
+Verify all critical dimensions and contours on the molded tiger character against the master drawings, record deviations over 0.5 millimetre, photograph failures and update the inspection register so tooling can be adjusted.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptions
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Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts
+Fit and assemble the wooden chassis parts for the display model, glue and clamp to spec, drive necessary…
Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts
+Fit and assemble the wooden chassis parts for the display model, glue and clamp to spec, drive necessary fixings, sand joints flush, apply a light protective seal and mark the assembly as ready for packing.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work15
Construct patterns, templates, and molds
+Construct templates, patterns and one production mould for the prototype racer car, mark draft angles and…
Construct patterns, templates, and molds
+Construct templates, patterns and one production mould for the prototype racer car, mark draft angles and sprue locations, test-fit with one cast, then note changes required for the production tool.
The tools that do the workDassault Systemes CATIAjob descriptionsO*NET
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Toys and games trends
+Scan the last six months of retail feedback and competitor shelves, extract three recurring materials and two…
Toys and games trends
+Scan the last six months of retail feedback and competitor shelves, extract three recurring materials and two colour palettes driving toy sales, flag any safety or coating notes, then produce a one-page brief for design and marketing by next Wednesday.
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Ensure quality of final product
+Inspect the final paintwork and joints on the run of 250 units, log every defect with photo and stitch…
Ensure quality of final product
+Inspect the final paintwork and joints on the run of 250 units, log every defect with photo and stitch number, verify protective lacquer coverage on high-wear points, then approve or hold the batch and notify Sarah in production by end of day.
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Toys and games industry
+Summarise the current toys and games market positioning for our heroes line, list three shelf competitors,…
Toys and games industry
+Summarise the current toys and games market positioning for our heroes line, list three shelf competitors, note two emerging play patterns and any regulatory shifts, then circulate the two‑page summary to Tom in design and Priya in sourcing on Friday.
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Pack goods
+Pack the 120 finished figures into retail-ready trays by SKU, confirm each tray has the correct leaflet and…
Pack goods
+Pack the 120 finished figures into retail-ready trays by SKU, confirm each tray has the correct leaflet and barcode, weigh a random tray for courier tolerance, label pallets for Warehouse 3 and email dispatch confirmation to Jenna before shift end.
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Perform toys finishing
+Apply the protective varnish to the prototype batch, follow the recommended layer sequence, check for orange…
Perform toys finishing
+Apply the protective varnish to the prototype batch, follow the recommended layer sequence, check for orange peel and adhesion after curing, document times and temperatures, then return the parts to Dave for approval tomorrow morning.
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Assemble toys
+Assemble 60 playsets to the production checklist, fit springs and decals, torque all fasteners to spec,…
Assemble toys
+Assemble 60 playsets to the production checklist, fit springs and decals, torque all fasteners to spec, bench-test moving parts for 500 cycles, record any failures and hand the batch to Lucy in packing by 11am Monday.
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Toys and games safety recommendations
+Write a two-page safety advisory for our small collectibles line explaining choking, toxicology and…
Toys and games safety recommendations
+Write a two-page safety advisory for our small collectibles line explaining choking, toxicology and flammability risks, list required certification tests and pass/fail criteria, recommend protective coatings and packing notes, and send to product safety and production by Friday.
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Design scale models
+Prepare detailed build drawings and a materials list for four 1:6 scale display models, specify tolerances,…
Design scale models
+Prepare detailed build drawings and a materials list for four 1:6 scale display models, specify tolerances, surface finish and protective coating, note assembly steps and packaging orientation, and deliver the folder to model shop by Wednesday.
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Build jigs for assembling oversized parts
+Build three assembly jigs for the oversized body panels so they hold parts square without distortion, include…
Build jigs for assembling oversized parts
+Build three assembly jigs for the oversized body panels so they hold parts square without distortion, include removable locating pins, two lifting points, and taped protective pads, and deliver drawings and a parts list by Thursday for shop cutting.
The tools that do the workSiemens NXjob descriptionsO*NET
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Issue patterns to designated machine operators.
+Issue the final production patterns to Mike on the foam cutter and Sara on the CNC router with quantities,…
Issue patterns to designated machine operators.
+Issue the final production patterns to Mike on the foam cutter and Sara on the CNC router with quantities, cutting order, and priority notes, confirm receipt and operator start times before the morning shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Finish patterns or models with protective or decorative coatings such as shellac, lacquer, or wax.
+Finish the five display models with a clear shellac base and two gloss lacquer coats, mask painted areas, air…
Finish patterns or models with protective or decorative coatings such as shellac, lacquer, or wax.
+Finish the five display models with a clear shellac base and two gloss lacquer coats, mask painted areas, air dry overnight, and log batch, product codes and QA sign-off before packing on Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Set up and operate woodworking machines
+Set up the spindle sander, table saw and band saw to cut and shape the toy prototypes, fit guards, set feeds…
Set up and operate woodworking machines
+Set up the spindle sander, table saw and band saw to cut and shape the toy prototypes, fit guards, set feeds and speeds for hardwood, run one test blank for quality, then authorize production runs.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Mark identifying information on parts
+Mark each finished part with part number, revision and orientation using the stamp and engraved metal tags,…
Mark identifying information on parts
+Mark each finished part with part number, revision and orientation using the stamp and engraved metal tags, photograph the marks, and update the parts register so packing can match items to orders.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Apply a protective layer
+Apply the protective varnish coat to the batch of ten prototypes, de-nib between coats, check adhesion with a…
Apply a protective layer
+Apply the protective varnish coat to the batch of ten prototypes, de-nib between coats, check adhesion with a tape test, record VOC batch and operator initials, and hold until QA approves.
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Keeping the record1
Maintain pattern records
+Update the pattern records with the final approved layouts: archive the sheet revisions, log material and…
Maintain pattern records
+Update the pattern records with the final approved layouts: archive the sheet revisions, log material and protective coating used, list who signed off and attach photos of the finished pattern.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses