Manufacturing51-7031.00Specialization

Model Makers, Wood

Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.

$45,040
Median Pay
6 months to 2 years
Training
🟠
In Transition

This is a specialization of

Woodworkers

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 2/6: low AI task exposure, declining job demand, limited human advantage indicates this career is being transformed by AI

🟠In Transition

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

15% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Declining+0

-5% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 10/25

Total Score2/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

Key Responsibilities

  • Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
  • Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners.
  • Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices.
  • Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
  • Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.
  • Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools.
  • Select wooden stock, determine layouts, and mark layouts of parts on stock, using precision equipment such as scribers, squares, and protractors.
  • Mark identifying information on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods and details.
  • Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and planers to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
  • Maintain pattern records for reference.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

Post-secondary certificate

Time to Job Ready

1-3 years

Based on Job Zone 3. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

CAD software (CATIA, NX)CNC programmingMicrosoft Excel3D modeling softwareDesign software

Key Abilities

Near VisionArm-Hand SteadinessFinger DexterityManual DexterityControl PrecisionOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingVisualizationWritten Comprehension

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Compensation Details

$33,880
10th Percentile
$45,040
Median
$84,090
90th Percentile

Based on 590 employed workers

Also Known As

Aircraft Model MakerArchitectural Wood Model MakerBuilderBuilding CraftsmanCraftsmanJig BuilderJig MakerLast Model MakerLoft WorkerLofter

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 51-7031.00