Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.
National median · BLS
$56,550
▲ +9.06%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$63,670
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
280
Jobs (BLS)
Highest-paying state (cost-adjusted)Loading…
Most jobsLoading…
Highest-paying metro (cost-adjusted)Loading…
Check your salary
Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.
Pay range for Model Makers, Wood
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$34,800
25th
$37,660
Median (50th)
$56,550
75th
$87,150
90th — top pay
$98,050
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
Type in either box; the other updates instantly.
⇄
Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Model Makers, Wood
BLS projects employment of model makers, wood to decline 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 100 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
700 → 700
+0 jobs
Projected change
-3.3%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
100
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
61.7% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035
Model Makers, Wood salaries by state
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Model Makers, Wood salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Model Makers, Wood
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Monitoring3.1
Operations Monitoring3.1
Critical Thinking3.0
Judgment and Decision Making3.0
Reading Comprehension3.0
Speaking3.0
Time Management3.0
Active Listening2.9
Operation and Control2.9
Operations Analysis2.9
Top knowledge areas
Production and Processing4.0
Design3.8
Building and Construction3.6
Engineering and Technology3.4
Mathematics3.4
Administration and Management3.4
Mechanical3.2
English Language3.0
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordDassault Systemes CATIASiemens NX
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What model makers, wood do
Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners.
Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices.
Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.
Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools.
Select wooden stock, determine layouts, and mark layouts of parts on stock, using precision equipment such as scribers, squares, and protractors.
Mark identifying information on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods and details.
Also called
CraftsmanModel MakerSample BuilderSample MakerBuilderJig MakerModel BuilderProduct Development CarpenterSample WorkerWood Carver
More job titles for this occupation (20)
Aircraft Model MakerArchitectural Wood Model MakerBuilding CraftsmanJig BuilderLast Model MakerLoft WorkerLofterProduct CraftsmanProduction CraftsmanProduction Wood CraftsmanShip and Boat Loft WorkerSpecial CraftsmanTechnical CraftsmanWood Containing Jig BuilderWood CraftsmanWood Last MakerWood Model BuilderWood Model MakerWood Window and Door CraftsmanWoodworking Craftsman
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Model Makers, Wood, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $56,550.
