Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Production · SOC 51-4061
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
Decision card
Career Evidence Passport
SOC 51-4061 evidence across exposure, wages, projections, postings, certified LCAs, skills, and transitions.
- SOC exposure
- 0.0%
- Low · Anthropic AEI
- Automation friction
- 58/100
- Moderate friction; broad SOC seed ORS job-requirements coverage.
- Wages
- $63,340
- No H-1B offered-wage row for this SOC.
- Projected openings
- 500
- BLS EP 2024–2034; employment change -18.2%.
- Observed/proxy demand
- 0
- FY2025 certified LCAs; 555 postings in 2025.
Skill evidence
Transition context
- H-1B values are certified Labor Condition Applications, not visa approvals.
- Job postings are seed-static / seed-derived; treat as provider-ready proxy coverage until observed provider data is wired in.
- Transition matches are directional skill-overlap context, not placement guarantees.
- This release is a FutureGrid broad-SOC seed derived from public BLS ORS requirement concepts and categories, not direct occupation-level ORS survey estimates. It describes job requirements, not worker ability, AI capability, or displacement probability. Automation friction is a FutureGrid derived score and should be read alongside exposure, demand, wage, and projection signals.
AI Exposure Analysis
Across AI measures
Multiple exposure lenses for this occupation.
AI could do ~16.1% of this role but only ~0% is currently done with AI — a large capability-vs-adoption gap.
Top Skills
H-1B Visa Sponsorship Demand
View full H-1B trends →Certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications naming this occupation, FY2016–FY2025. A descriptive high-skill labor-demand signal — employer filings, not visa approvals or individual outcomes. Note: one LCA can cover multiple worker positions.
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers to make working models of metal or plastic objects. Includes template makers.
Common titles: CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer), Metal Model Maker, Model Builder, Model Maker, Model Maker Machinist
Representative Tasks
- •Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
- •Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
- •Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.
- •Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
- •Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- •Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- •Operate cutting equipment.
- •Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- •Program equipment to perform production tasks.
Tools & Technologies
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
Employment & Wage Trend
BLS OEWS, 2019–2025
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). See /sources.
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 0.7% |
| Outlook | Average | 4% Bright |
| Median Salary | $63,340 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |