Model Makers, Wood
Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.
AI Impact Summary
Model Makers, Wood faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 19/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 4% of all analyzed occupations. Of 14 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Model Makers, Wood skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
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Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
14 tasks analyzed
Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices.
Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and planers to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners.
Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
Select wooden stock, determine layouts, and mark layouts of parts on stock, using precision equipment such as scribers, squares, and protractors.
Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools.
Mark identifying information on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods and details.
Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.
Fabricate work aids such as scrapers or templates.
Maintain pattern records for reference.
Issue patterns to designated machine operators.
Build jigs that can be used as guides for assembling oversized or special types of box shooks.
Finish patterns or models with protective or decorative coatings such as shellac, lacquer, or wax.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices. | 33.33Observed | 22.3% | 10% | |
| Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups. | 45Estimated | 45.0% | 10% | |
| Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and planers to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 15% | |
| Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 15% | |
| Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 12% | |
| Select wooden stock, determine layouts, and mark layouts of parts on stock, using precision equipment such as scribers, squares, and protractors. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 8% | |
| Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 10% | |
| Mark identifying information on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods and details. | 75Estimated | 79.2% | 3% | |
| Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Fabricate work aids such as scrapers or templates. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Maintain pattern records for reference. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 2% | |
| Issue patterns to designated machine operators. | 85Estimated | 83.2% | 2% | |
| Build jigs that can be used as guides for assembling oversized or special types of box shooks. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Finish patterns or models with protective or decorative coatings such as shellac, lacquer, or wax. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.4%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$51,850
per year
Mean Wage
$59,780
per year
Employment
360
workers
Wage Range
$24,710 - $95,850
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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Precious Metal Workers
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37%Median salary: $56,150
Higher risk than 71% of other occupations
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
41%Median salary: $46,630
Higher risk than 83% of other occupations
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Higher risk than 84% of other occupations
Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic
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Chief Executives
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General and Operations Managers
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Advertising and Promotions Managers
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Computer and Information Systems Managers
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Model Makers, Wood professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change