Career Paths From Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Tool and Die MakersLateral Move87.8% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Tool and Die Makers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (88% match). Tool and Die Makers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$64,050
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticLateral Move78.1% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 8% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$58,000
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move79.1% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (79% match). Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 17% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$52,800
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersLateral Move77.6% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 8% higher.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$68,120
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsLateral Move81.7% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (82% match). Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 20% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$50,690
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Patternmakers, WoodLateral Move79.9% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Patternmakers, Wood share a similar Transferable Skills profile (80% match). Patternmakers, Wood sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 22% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$49,630
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingLateral Move87.9% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing share a similar Transferable Skills profile (88% match). Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 32% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$43,380
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Cabinetmakers and Bench CarpentersLateral Move85.9% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (86% match). Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 26% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$46,680
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Pile Driver OperatorsCareer Change77.7% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Pile Driver Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Pile Driver Operators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 16% higher.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$73,300
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Wellhead PumpersCareer Change81.4% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Wellhead Pumpers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (81% match). Wellhead Pumpers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 10% higher.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$69,960
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Semiconductor Processing TechniciansLateral Move81.7% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Semiconductor Processing Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (82% match). Semiconductor Processing Technicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 19% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$51,430
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticLateral Move77.6% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 25% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$47,720
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersLateral Move77.9% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 26% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$46,570
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, WoodLateral Move80.2% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood share a similar Transferable Skills profile (80% match). Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 32% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$42,770
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Tool Grinders, Filers, and SharpenersLateral Move78.5% skill match
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic and Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 21% lower.
Current median salary
$63,340
Target median salary
$50,060
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.