Patternmakers, Wood vs Model Makers, Metal and Plastic AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Patternmakers, Wood

55 shared · 4 different

core competencies

medium risk

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Side-by-Side Comparison

Patternmakers, Wood leads 4–1

Metric	Patternmakers, Wood	Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Risk Score	24.9%	28.1%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Medium Risk
Risk Percentile	19th	30th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	4 / 15	6 / 15
Median Salary	$52,520	$62,700
Employment	180	3K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Mechanical

Controlling Machines and Processes

Troubleshooting

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Patternmakers, Wood

25%

total discount

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

25%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Patternmakers, Wood

4 of 15 at risk

84%Estimate costs for patternmaking jobs.

78%Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.

65%Compute dimensions, areas, volumes, and weights.

59%Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.

49%Finish completed products or models with shellac, lacquer, wax, or paint.

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

6 of 15 at risk

85%Record specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of models for use in establishing operating standards and procedures.

70%Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.

66%Lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools.

55%Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.

55%Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts.

Wage Comparison

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic earns +$10,180(+19%) vs Patternmakers, Wood

Patternmakers, WoodModel Makers, Metal and Plastic

10th

$40,730$38,430

25th

$45,450$48,860

Median

$52,520$62,700

75th

$77,410$79,470

90th

$83,330$95,780

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Patternmakers, Wood2028–2035

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Patternmakers, Wood has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Model Makers, Metal and Plastic.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Patternmakers, Wood

$39,432

from $52,520

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

$45,062

from $62,700

After adjusting for AI risk, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic offers $5,630 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Patternmakers,

Unique to Model

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation

Creativity

Regulatory Barriers

Social Intelligence

Patternmakers, WoodModel Makers, Metal and Plastic

Find transitions from Patternmakers, Wood Find transitions from Model Makers, Metal and Plastic