Patternmakers, wood
SOC Code: 51-7032
Patternmakers, wood carries a 39% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $52,520 and -5.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 39% AI exposure, Patternmakers, wood sits 2 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 67% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Patternmakers, wood sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Patternmakers, wood has ai exposure of 39%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Patternmakers, wood vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Patternmakers, wood is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Patternmakers, wood (SOC 51-7032) carries an AI exposure score of 39%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -5.0% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $52,520, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Patternmakers, wood. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
- 2. Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
- 3. 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.
- 4. Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
- 5. Divide patterns into sections according to shapes of castings to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
- 6. Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.
- 7. Correct patterns to compensate for defects in castings.
- 8. Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and lathes to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
- 9. Finish completed products or models with shellac, lacquer, wax, or paint.
- 10. Estimate costs for patternmaking jobs.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Quality Control Analysis
- Speaking
Knowledge Areas
- Mathematics
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Patternmakers, wood?
Patternmakers, wood has an AI exposure score of 39%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Patternmakers, wood?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Patternmakers, wood is projected to decline by 5.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 500 workers.
What skills are needed for Patternmakers, wood?
Key skills for Patternmakers, wood include Reading Comprehension, Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Patternmakers, wood earn?
The median annual wage for Patternmakers, wood is $52,520, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Patternmakers, wood?
The typical entry-level education for Patternmakers, wood is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Patternmakers, wood?
Patternmakers, wood roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).