Career comparison
Foundry Moldmaker vs. Wood Patternmaker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Wood patternmakers earn more at the median ($49,630 vs. $48,110), while foundry moldmakers usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Foundry moldmakers build sand molds and cores that shape metal castings. Wood patternmakers build wooden patterns that foundries use to make casting molds.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Foundry Moldmaker | Wood Patternmaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $48,110 ($23.13/hr) | $49,630 ($23.86/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,160 – $62,640 | $37,600 – $83,780 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -23.0% (a projected decline) | -2.0% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 800 | 100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few months on the job | Months to years of training |
| Key credential | AFS training | Woodworking certificate |
| Work setting | Moldmakers work in dusty foundries.. | Patternmakers work in pattern shops.. |
What each job does
Foundry Moldmaker
- Pack sand molds
- Make cores
- Set cores
- Close molds
- Repair molds
Wood Patternmaker
- Read drawings
- Add shrink and draft
- Cut and shape wood
- Build core boxes
- Seal patterns
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and indoor work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose foundry moldmaker if…
- I like hands-on work
- I don’t mind dust
- I like teamwork
Choose wood patternmaker if…
- I love woodworking
- I like precision
- I like rare skills
Still torn? Take the Foundry Moldmaker fit quiz and the Wood Patternmaker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, foundry moldmaker or wood patternmaker?
Wood Patternmakers earn more at the median: $49,630 versus $48,110 for foundry moldmakers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Foundry Moldmakers typically train faster (A few months on the job) than wood patternmakers (Months to years of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects wood patternmakers to grow -2.0% from 2025–35, compared with -23.0% for foundry moldmakers.