How to become a patternmaker, wood
Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree..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.
What patternmakers, wood do
- Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
- Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
- Repair broken or damaged patterns.
- Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
- 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.
- Divide patterns into sections according to shapes of castings to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Writing
Is patternmaker, wood a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 3% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Patternmakers, Wood salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.