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Molding technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$63,340median pay per year, or $30.45 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $39,760lowest 10% earn less
  2. $47,36025th percentile
  3. $63,340median
  4. $86,74075th percentile
  5. $99,010top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Model makers in metal and plastic had a median pay of $63,340 a year, above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. It is a small field[3], and employment is projected to fall 17.3% from 2025 to 2035[4].

Job growth, 2025–35
-17.3%[4]
Openings per year
200[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do molding technicians make?

Molding technician is one of the job titles workers report for the BLS category Model Makers, Metal and Plastic[8]. In May 2025 the median wage was $63,340 a year, or $30.45 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) wage was $68,570 a year, or $32.97 an hour[9]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[2].

Here is the range from the 10th to the 90th percentile:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[5][10] $39,760 $19.12
25th[5][10] $47,360 $22.77
75th[5][10] $86,740 $41.70
90th[5][10] $99,010 $47.60

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $39,760, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $99,010[5][11]. BLS does not publish a starting salary[11].

These wages cover full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[12]. About 2,610 people held these wage and salary jobs in May 2025[3].

Pay by state and city

BLS published state wages for only 15 states[13]. California had the highest median annual wage at $92,960, followed by Florida at $79,930 and New York at $77,710[13]. North Carolina was last in that list at $45,760[13].

Michigan had the most jobs at 710, then California at 260, Texas at 230, New York at 120 and Massachusetts at 100[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had a median of $94,950 and Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI had $81,110[15]. Detroit had the most jobs of any metro area at 490[16].

Show median pay in 15 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[13]$92,960260
Florida$79,93050
New York$77,710120
New Jersey$72,34070
Illinois$68,890n/a
Massachusetts$67,830100
Texas$65,920230
Indiana$62,62050
Iowa$61,55040
Ohio$60,88060
Michigan$60,540710
Rhode Island$55,56040
Utah$53,65060
Pennsylvania$52,99040
North Carolina$45,760n/a

How to become a model maker

BLS gives this typical path:

O*NET places the job in Job Zone Three, which it describes as needing previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience[17]. That is a different reading from the BLS entry path above, so check job postings for what employers ask for.

The training details below come from a BLS handbook profile that covers a wider group of metal and plastic machine workers[18]. Trainees usually begin by watching and helping experienced workers[19]. How long training takes depends on how complex the equipment is. Some workers learn basic operations in a few months, and others may train for up to 1 year[20]. That profile adds that CNC tool programmers usually need coursework beyond high school[21]. Training in CAD, CAM and CNC equipment may also help[22].

What model makers do

Model makers set up and run machines such as lathes, milling and engraving machines and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects[23]. Common tasks reported to O*NET include:

Where they work

The workplace details here come from the wider metal and plastic machine workers profile[18]. Fabricated metal product manufacturing was the largest employer group in 2025, with 25% of those workers[25]. These workers often run powerful machines that can be dangerous, so they follow safety rules and wear protective gear[26]. Most are employed full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week[27]. Evening and weekend work is also common, because many manufacturers run their machines for long stretches[27].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to fall 17.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,600 to 2,200 jobs[4]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[28]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[4].

BLS names one factor. Models made with 3D printers are replacing hand-crafted models[29].

BLS still projects about 200 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings include workers who leave the job, not only new positions[6]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the labor force and 6.6% move to a different occupation[30].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is well above the all-occupations figure, at $63,340 against $50,980, and the range is wide[1][5][2]. The field is small, and employment is projected to shrink, with 3D printing named as a factor[3][4][29]. Openings of about 200 a year are projected[6]. The wider profile says workers need to be comfortable with machines and able to stand for long periods[31][32].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[33].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a molding technician make an hour?
For the BLS category Model Makers, Metal and Plastic, the median wage was $30.45 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $32.97[1][9][8].
What education do you need to be a model maker?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent, no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[7].
How long does it take to learn model making?
The wider BLS profile for metal and plastic machine workers says some learn basic operations in a few months, and others may train for up to 1 year[18][20].
Is model making in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 17.3% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations grow 3.5%[4][28]. About 200 openings a year are still projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for model makers?
California had the highest median annual wage at $92,960, followed by Florida at $79,930[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic in the US was $63,340 per year and $30.45 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 2,610 people were employed as Model Makers, Metal and Plastic in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Model Makers, Metal and Plastic is projected to decline 17.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 2,600 to 2,200 jobs (a change of -500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic: 10th percentile $39,760, 25th percentile $47,360, 75th percentile $86,740, 90th percentile $99,010. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 200 openings for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Model Makers, Metal and Plastic: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. O*NET 51-4061.00 sample job titles reported by workers: CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer), Metal Model Maker, Model Builder, Model Maker, Model Maker Machinist, Model Technician (Model Tech), Molding Technician (Molding Tech). O*NET OnLine
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic was $68,570 per year and $32.97 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic: 10th percentile $19.12, 25th percentile $22.77, 75th percentile $41.70, 90th percentile $47.60. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Model Makers, Metal and Plastic jobs: Michigan 710; California 260; Texas 230; New York 120; Massachusetts 100. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic (areas with at least 100 jobs): Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $94,950; Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $81,110. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Model Makers, Metal and Plastic jobs: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 490 (median $81,110); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 120 (median $94,950); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 80 (median $77,710); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 70 (median $89,960); Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI 70 (median $44,220); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 60 (median $70,980). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. O*NET 51-4061.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Metal and Plastic Machine Workers" covers Model Makers, Metal and Plastic together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Model Makers, Metal and Plastic. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic. O*NET OnLine
  25. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of metal and plastic machine workers in 2025: Fabricated metal product manufacturing 25%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  29. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Model Makers, Metal and Plastic: Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as models made with 3D printers replace hand crafted models. BLS Employment Projections
  30. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Model Makers, Metal and Plastic: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.