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Occupation · SOC 51-4062

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

There are 1,470 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $58,000 a year. The most jobs are in Milwaukee–Waukesha, WI.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
1,470
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$58,000
Median pay a year
Middle half: $49,070–$69,960
100
Annual openings
10-year change: −22.8%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

5 of 5 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIMedian pay $49,070 · LCA filings 0110$49,0700
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $48,790 · LCA filings 0100$48,7900
Birmingham, ALMedian pay $62,390 · LCA filings 070$62,3900
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $74,900 · LCA filings 050$74,9000
Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton, PA–NJMedian pay $54,980 · LCA filings 040$54,9800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$74,900500
Birmingham, ALEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$62,390700
Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton, PA–NJEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$54,980400
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$49,0701100
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$48,7901000

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WILevel II $51,979 · Level III $55,245 · Level IV $58,531$48,693$51,979$55,245$58,531
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $44,616 · Level III $50,981 · Level IV $57,366$38,230$44,616$50,981$57,366
Birmingham, ALLevel II $56,098 · Level III $60,278 · Level IV $64,459$51,917$56,098$60,278$64,459
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $64,771 · Level III $69,992 · Level IV $75,192$59,571$64,771$69,992$75,192
Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton, PA–NJLevel II $51,542 · Level III $56,264 · Level IV $61,006$46,800$51,542$56,264$61,006

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in every metro area

All 5 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology