Skip to content

Let’s finish setting up your profile

We want to help you reach your goals. Complete your profile to find resources and schools that match your goals.

Log in or create an account

An account has a lot of perks. You can save your favorite careers, schools, and articles to your profile. You can even connect with an advisor for personalized recommendations.

Log in to get all the benefits of My Texas Future. If you don't have an account, you'll have the option to create one.

We've made some updates


To help make your path to college and career smoother, we've connected your My Texas Future account with ApplyTexas! That means that some of the fields in your learner profile might look a bit different. Some of the options available to you have changed or have different character limits. Check out your profile to make sure everything looks correct.


Sync with ApplyTexas?


Your My Texas Future profile information has updates. Review your updates and confirm if you want to sync with ApplyTexas.


Your session has expired

To continue using My Texas Future, please log in to your account.

See your college acceptances today!


Seniors can see where they're accepted before ever starting an application. Direct Admissions uses your academic record to show you where you'll get in. Don't worry if you don't see your dream school on your list, you can still apply through the regular process.


Something went wrong

Sorry, we couldn’t submit your information successfully.

Please try again or review our FAQs.

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

What they do

Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.

Recommended education
Recommended education
For this career, most jobs require this level of education. It may be possible to qualify for some jobs without this level of education. Recommendation provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Vocational training or associate degree
Explore programs for this career
Career cluster
Projected growth
Projected growth

This is the expected change in employment for this career in the selected county or state. For example, if a career is expected to double from 100 jobs to 200 jobs, this would show 100%. Due to how projected growth is reported, similar careers may show the same percentage.

These numbers represent the latest 10-year projection period (2018-2028). Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

N/AN/A

Expected pay range

Expected pay range

This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

About patternmakers, metal and plastic

Other titles

Die Cast Die Maker, Fixture Builder, Layout Technician, Metal Pattern Maker, Pattern Maker, Pattern Maker Programmer, Pattern Repair Person, Patternmaker, Wax Molder

Tasks they perform

  • Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.
  • Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.
  • Repair and rework templates and patterns.

Skills they need

  • Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Licenses and Certifications

How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.

Certifications

Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications

Similar careers

View careers in the same field as patternmakers, metal and plastic.

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
Better pay

Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

In demand

In demand careers have high-growth, high-demand, and emerging jobs critical to Texas. They are based on economic indicators like in demand industries, labor market trends, and economic conditions, provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Learn more
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Learn more
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Learn more

Additional career information and resources

Learn more about patternmakers, metal and plastic with these helpful sites.