Occupations/51-7032.00
Patternmakers, Wood
Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
45%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
56%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
64%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
- Mostly routine
Lay out patterns on wood stock and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products, based on blueprint specifications and sketches, and using marking and measuring devices.
- Mostly routine
Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
- 02Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
- 03Lay out patterns on wood stock and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products, based on blueprint specifications and sketches, and using marking and measuring devices.
- 04Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
- 05Divide patterns into sections according to shapes of castings to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
- 06Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.71
- Degree of automation2.19
- Time sitting2.10
- Originality (ability)2.88
- Conflict situations3.00
- Hands-on objects/tools4.43
- Outdoors / weather2.39
- Disease exposure1.20
- Decision freedom4.33
Top abilities
- Manual Dexterity4.00
- Control Precision3.88
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.88
- Near Vision3.75
- Reaction Time3.50
- Finger Dexterity3.38
- Visualization3.25
- Information Ordering3.25
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.12
- Active Listening3.00
- Writing2.62
- Speaking2.88
- Mathematics3.00
- Science1.75
- Critical Thinking3.00
- Active Learning2.75
- Learning Strategies2.12
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
4 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public | Cabinetmaking and Millwork 48.0703 | $5,900 | 100% | 28% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Associate · CIP 48.07 |
Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public | Cabinetmaking and Millwork 48.0703 | $6,200 | 100% | 38% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN · Public | Cabinetmaking and Millwork 48.0703 | $6,300 | 100% | 48% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Macomb Community College Warren, MI · Public | Cabinetmaking and Millwork 48.0703 | $4,200 | 100% | 22% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |