Patternmakers, Wood: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Patternmakers, Wood fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Patternmakers, Wood earn a median salary of $52,520 per year, ranking in the top 58% of all U.S. occupations. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do patternmakers, wood earn?

The median annual wage for patternmakers, wood is $52,520. That puts patternmakers, wood at #467 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is patternmakers, wood a growing career?

BLS does not publish a 2024–2034 projection for patternmakers, wood. Cross-check the broader production category for directional guidance.

What do patternmakers, wood do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working patternmakers, wood, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and lathes to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
2. 2.Maintain pattern records for reference.
3. 3.Construct wooden models, templates, full scale mock-ups, jigs, or molds for shaping parts of products.
4. 4.Compute dimensions, areas, volumes, and weights.
5. 5.Select lumber to be used for patterns.
6. 6.Inventory equipment and supplies, ordering parts and tools as necessary.
7. 7.Estimate costs for patternmaking jobs.
8. 8.Repair broken or damaged patterns.

Top skills for patternmakers, wood

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become patternmakers, wood?

Patternmakers, Wood typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about patternmakers, wood