Career comparison
Metal Patternmaker vs. Wood Patternmaker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Metal patternmakers earn more at the median ($58,000 vs. $49,630), while metal patternmakers usually get to work faster (Months to years of training of training). Metal patternmakers make the patterns foundries use to form casting molds. 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
| Metal Patternmaker | Wood Patternmaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $58,000 ($27.89/hr) | $49,630 ($23.86/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,460 – $82,590 | $37,600 – $83,780 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -22.8% (a projected decline) | -2.0% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 100 | 100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Months to years of training | Months to years of training |
| Key credential | AFS training | Woodworking certificate |
| Work setting | Patternmakers work in pattern shops and foundries.. | Patternmakers work in pattern shops.. |
What each job does
Metal Patternmaker
- Read drawings
- Add shrink and draft
- Machine patterns
- Make core boxes
- Fit match plates
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, creative work, working independently, and indoor work. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose metal patternmaker if…
- I like precision craft
- I like foundries
- I like machining
Choose wood patternmaker if…
- I love woodworking
- I like precision
- I like rare skills
Still torn? Take the Metal Patternmaker fit quiz and the Wood Patternmaker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, metal patternmaker or wood patternmaker?
Metal Patternmakers earn more at the median: $58,000 versus $49,630 for wood patternmakers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Metal Patternmakers typically train faster (Months to years of training) 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 -22.8% for metal patternmakers.