What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Patternmakers, Wood in the U.S. earn more than $49,630 a year — the middle 80% land between $37,600 and $83,780. About 220 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Patternmakers, 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).
$49,630typical pay / year
220people in this work
$83,780+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.
Make3
Lay out patterns on wood stock
+Lay out the pattern pieces across the 8'×4' pine sheet so grain direction minimizes tear-out, mark tooling…
Lay out patterns on wood stock
+Lay out the pattern pieces across the 8'×4' pine sheet so grain direction minimizes tear-out, mark tooling clearances and safe saw paths, orient repeats to save waste, then photograph the layout and save a cutting diagram for the shop foreman by Thursday.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts
+Fit and fasten the ten ash parts into the assembly jig, drill and countersink pilot holes, glue and clamp in…
Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts
+Fit and fasten the ten ash parts into the assembly jig, drill and countersink pilot holes, glue and clamp in the order main rails, cross braces, then caps, verify squareness with a framing square, note any gaps for shim work, and sign off for final sanding.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NET
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Construct wooden patterns for sand molds
+Construct the oak pattern for the sand mold to final profile, cut core prints and parting lines into the…
Construct wooden patterns for sand molds
+Construct the oak pattern for the sand mold to final profile, cut core prints and parting lines into the block, reinforce high-wear areas with hardwood inserts, label draft directions and locate gating, then deliver the pattern to the foundry crib for inspection tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the work3D Systems Geomagic Design Xjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces
+Trim the rough faces on the maple blank to final dimensions, smooth with card scraper and plane following…
Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces
+Trim the rough faces on the maple blank to final dimensions, smooth with card scraper and plane following grain to avoid tear-out, profile edges to specified radii, measure surface finish with a gauge, and log hours and tool bits used.
The tools that do the workMastercam computer-aided design and manufacturingESCOjob descriptions
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The daily work16
Estimate costs for patternmaking jobs.
+Estimate raw material, labour and machine hours for the Morrison mould set: list hardwood, resin, sanding,…
Estimate costs for patternmaking jobs.
+Estimate raw material, labour and machine hours for the Morrison mould set: list hardwood, resin, sanding, and finishing costs, add 15% contingency, and produce a customer quote for review by Thursday afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Finish completed products or models with shellac, lacquer, wax, or paint.
+Finish the three prototype bridge patterns with shellac on the cast faces, lacquer on exposed timber, and…
Finish completed products or models with shellac, lacquer, wax, or paint.
+Finish the three prototype bridge patterns with shellac on the cast faces, lacquer on exposed timber, and paste wax on mould flanges, then stage for a photo check and send completion notice to Sarah by end of day.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Repair broken or damaged patterns.
+Assess and repair the cracked core box from job 421: remove loose fibres, scarf in new hardwood, re-set…
Repair broken or damaged patterns.
+Assess and repair the cracked core box from job 421: remove loose fibres, scarf in new hardwood, re-set alignment pins, and record the repair steps and parts used before returning it to the pattern store.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Maintain pattern records for reference.
+Update the pattern log for 2026: enter dimensions, material, owner, location, last service date and photo of…
Maintain pattern records for reference.
+Update the pattern log for 2026: enter dimensions, material, owner, location, last service date and photo of each pattern, then save the master register and circulate the summary to procurement and production.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Glue fillets along interior angles of patterns.
+Apply glued fillets to the interior 90‑degree joints on the smokestack pattern: roughen mating faces, clamp…
Glue fillets along interior angles of patterns.
+Apply glued fillets to the interior 90‑degree joints on the smokestack pattern: roughen mating faces, clamp at correct radius, insert 6mm fillet, cure 24 hours, then deburr and mark as inspected.
The tools that do the workDelcam PowerMILLO*NET
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Compute dimensions, areas, volumes, and weights.
+Calculate outer and inner volumes, surface areas and estimated weight for the 2.4m pressure mould, include…
Compute dimensions, areas, volumes, and weights.
+Calculate outer and inner volumes, surface areas and estimated weight for the 2.4m pressure mould, include material density and machining allowance, and append the figures to the job costing sheet.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Inventory equipment and supplies, ordering parts and tools as necessary.
+Inventory the shop equipment and consumable supplies, note current counts for band saw blades, chisels,…
Inventory equipment and supplies, ordering parts and tools as necessary.
+Inventory the shop equipment and consumable supplies, note current counts for band saw blades, chisels, pattern hardwoods and fasteners, list parts and tools below reorder thresholds, and place orders so low-stock items arrive by next Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Issue patterns to designated machine operators.
+Issue the finished patterns for the new crate run to machine operators Sam, Rosa and Jamal, include pattern…
Issue patterns to designated machine operators.
+Issue the finished patterns for the new crate run to machine operators Sam, Rosa and Jamal, include pattern ID, material, critical grain direction and any tear-out precautions, and confirm who will pick them up this afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Draw outlines based on blueprints or sketches
+Lay out and draw the full-size pattern outlines from the engineering sketches for the molding, transfer all…
Draw outlines based on blueprints or sketches
+Lay out and draw the full-size pattern outlines from the engineering sketches for the molding, transfer all critical dimensions and grain orientation notes, and produce a trimmed paper proof for the fit check before cutting stock.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptions
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Use marking and measuring devices
+Scribe reference lines and transfer critical blueprint dimensions onto the stock using the shop marking and…
Use marking and measuring devices
+Scribe reference lines and transfer critical blueprint dimensions onto the stock using the shop marking and measuring kit, record measured tolerances, and flag any dimensions outside acceptable limits for engineering review before cutting.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptions
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Use a lathe to remove superfluous material from wood
+Mount the blank on the lathe, rough-turn to remove excess bulk, follow safe cutting speeds and tool rest…
Use a lathe to remove superfluous material from wood
+Mount the blank on the lathe, rough-turn to remove excess bulk, follow safe cutting speeds and tool rest positions, check for chatter and grain tear-out, and leave a 2 mm finish allowance for sanding.
The tools that do the workMastercam computer-aided design and manufacturingESCO
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Turn the workpiece around its axis
+Center and secure the pattern blank, rotate it about its axis to true it, progressively balance and…
Turn the workpiece around its axis
+Center and secure the pattern blank, rotate it about its axis to true it, progressively balance and finish-turn to final profile while monitoring concentricity and wearing face shield and guards throughout.
The tools that do the workDelcam PowerMILLESCO
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Design principles
+Lay out the pattern rules for this oak prototype so the joint faces cut cleanly, list grain direction…
Design principles
+Lay out the pattern rules for this oak prototype so the joint faces cut cleanly, list grain direction tolerances, minimum edge radii, recommended router bit angles and a checklist for sanding sequence before assembly.
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Avoid tear-out in woodworking
+Specify the tooling and feed strategy for the curved fretboard blanks to avoid tear-out: cutter geometry,…
Avoid tear-out in woodworking
+Specify the tooling and feed strategy for the curved fretboard blanks to avoid tear-out: cutter geometry, climb or conventional routing choice, backer board use, grain orientation notes, and an inspection step after the first test pass.
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Work safely with machines
+Prepare a machine-safety sheet for the shop containing lockout steps, required guards and push tools for each…
Work safely with machines
+Prepare a machine-safety sheet for the shop containing lockout steps, required guards and push tools for each router and table saw, PPE required per operation, emergency stop locations and the sign-off procedure before running a live cut.
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Wood cuts
+Produce cut lists and annotated cut diagrams for the pine panels showing grain-aware rip and crosscut…
Wood cuts
+Produce cut lists and annotated cut diagrams for the pine panels showing grain-aware rip and crosscut sequence, blade and bit choices, allowance for finishing, and a waste-minimised nesting plan for the first production run.
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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