Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

O*NET-SOC code: 51-4061.00

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.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Low· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.20
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

16 rated tasks · 3 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (18.8%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts. O*NET Task ID 20924	1.0
Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts. O*NET Task ID 20925	1.0
Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences. O*NET Task ID 12022	0.5
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models. O*NET Task ID 12023	0.0
Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers. O*NET Task ID 12024	0.0
Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets. O*NET Task ID 12025	0.0
Lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools. O*NET Task ID 12026	0.0
Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools. O*NET Task ID 12027	0.0
Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions. O*NET Task ID 12028	0.0
Record specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of models for use in establishing operating standards and procedures. O*NET Task ID 12029	0.0
Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards. O*NET Task ID 12030	0.0
Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing. O*NET Task ID 12031	0.0
Consult and confer with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and to recommend product modifications. O*NET Task ID 12032	0.0
Assemble mechanical, electrical, and electronic components into models or prototypes, using hand tools, power tools, and fabricating machines. O*NET Task ID 12033	0.0
Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment. O*NET Task ID 12034	0.0
Wire and solder electrical and electronic connections and components. O*NET Task ID 12035	0.0

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (16)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.	Core
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.	Core
Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.	Core
Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.	Core
Lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools.	Core
Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.	Core
Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.	Core
Record specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of models for use in establishing operating standards and procedures.	Core
Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.	Core
Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing.	Core
Consult and confer with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and to recommend product modifications.	Core
Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.	Core
Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.	Core
Assemble mechanical, electrical, and electronic components into models or prototypes, using hand tools, power tools, and fabricating machines.	Supplemental
Wire and solder electrical and electronic connections and components.	Supplemental
Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts.	Supplemental

Anthropic, "What work can robots do?"2026-09

0.78/ 3· Robot exposure index

0 none3 unstructured settings

Scale, basis and source

Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time

Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks

Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.

Source dataset

The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.

Tier of each physical task

Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)

E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site

Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.

Task (O*NET 29.3)	Robot environment tier
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Assemble mechanical, electrical, and electronic components into models or prototypes, using hand tools, power tools, and fabricating machines.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Wire and solder electrical and electronic connections and components.	E1 purpose-built robot settings

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025: 3K
Projected employment, 2035: 2K
Change (2025–35): -17.3%
Median annual wage, 2025: $63,340
Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
74010	금형원	Related, not a match	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 7222Toolmakers and Related Workers

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Toolmakers and related workers make and repair custom-made and specialised tools, sports guns, locks, dies, patterns, machinery components and other metal articles using hand and machine tools to work metal to fine tolerances.

Tasks

(a) reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications of tools, dies, prototypes or models;
(b) preparing templates and sketches, and determining work processes;
(c) visualizing and computing dimensions, sizes, shapes and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications;
(d) positioning, securing and measuring metal stock or castings to lay out for machining;
(e) setting up, operating and maintaining conventional and computer numerically controlled machine tools to cut, turn, mill, plane, drill, bore, grind or otherwise shape work pieces to prescribed dimensions and finish;
(f) fitting and assembling parts to make and repair jigs, fixtures and gauges;
(g) repairing and modifying sports guns and other small arms;
(h) making, fitting, assembling, repairing and installing lock parts and locks;
(i) making and repairing metal patterns for preparation of foundry moulds;
(j) laying out lines and reference points on metal stock to guide other workers who cut, turn, mill, grind or otherwise shape metal;
(k) verifying dimensions, alignments and clearances of finished parts for conformity with specifications, using precision measuring instruments and testing completed items for proper operation.

Example occupations

Die maker · Gunsmith · Jig maker · Locksmith · Patternmaker · Toolmaker

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

casting mould makerESCO 7222.1Same scope
Casting mould makers create metal, wooden or plastic models of the finished product to be cast. The patterns are then used to create moulds, eventually leading to the casting of the product of the same shape as the pattern.
model makerESCO 2163.1.6This occupation is narrower
Model makers create three-dimensional scale models or various designs or concepts and for various purposes, such as models of human skeletons or organs. They also mount the models on display stands so that they can be used for their final purpose such as inclusion in education activities.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
H2920	Prototypiste en mécanique	Overlapping, not the sameprovisional
H2903	Usineur / Usineuse	Related, not a matchprovisional
H2908	Modeleur / Modeleuse	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
7322	Trabajadores de la fabricación de herramientas, mecánico-ajustadores, modelistas, matriceros y afines	This occupation is narrower

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
27232	Berufe im Modellbau - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten	This occupation is narrower

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
523	金属工作機械作業従事者	Related, not a match
539	その他の製品製造・加工処理従事者（金属製品を除く）	Related, not a match

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources