Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic

O*NET-SOC code: 51-4062.00

Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· 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

15 rated tasks · 4 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (26.7%)

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. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Program computerized numerical control machine tools. O*NET Task ID 12039	1.0
Create computer models of patterns or parts, using modeling software. O*NET Task ID 21025	1.0
Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences. O*NET Task ID 12037	0.5
Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments. O*NET Task ID 12043	0.5
Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns. O*NET Task ID 12036	0.0
Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers. O*NET Task ID 12038	0.0
Design and create templates, patterns, or coreboxes according to work orders, sample parts, or mockups. O*NET Task ID 12040	0.0
Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment. O*NET Task ID 12041	0.0
Repair and rework templates and patterns. O*NET Task ID 12042	0.0
Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders. O*NET Task ID 12044	0.0
Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns. O*NET Task ID 12045	0.0
Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates. O*NET Task ID 12046	0.0
Select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass. O*NET Task ID 12047	0.0
Apply plastic-impregnated fabrics or coats of sealing wax or lacquer to patterns used to produce plastic. O*NET Task ID 12048	0.0
Paint or lacquer patterns. O*NET Task ID 12049	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 (15)

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
Set up and operate machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.	Core
Read and interpret blueprints or drawings of parts to be cast or patterns to be made, compute dimensions, and plan operational sequences.	Core
Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.	Core
Design and create templates, patterns, or coreboxes according to work orders, sample parts, or mockups.	Core
Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.	Core
Repair and rework templates and patterns.	Core
Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.	Core
Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.	Core
Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns.	Core
Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates.	Core
Select pattern materials such as wood, resin, and fiberglass.	Core
Paint or lacquer patterns.	Core
Program computerized numerical control machine tools.	Supplemental
Apply plastic-impregnated fabrics or coats of sealing wax or lacquer to patterns used to produce plastic.	Supplemental
Create computer models of patterns or parts, using modeling software.	Supplemental

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

0.75/ 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 machine tools, such as milling machines, lathes, drill presses, and grinders, to machine castings or patterns.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Verify conformance of patterns or template dimensions to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, scales, and micrometers.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Assemble pattern sections, using hand tools, bolts, screws, rivets, glue, or welding equipment.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Repair and rework templates and patterns.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Clean and finish patterns or templates, using emery cloths, files, scrapers, and power grinders.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Construct platforms, fixtures, and jigs for holding and placing patterns.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Mark identification numbers or symbols onto patterns or templates.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Design and create templates, patterns, or coreboxes according to work orders, sample parts, or mockups.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Lay out and draw or scribe patterns onto material, using compasses, protractors, rulers, scribes, or other instruments.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Apply plastic-impregnated fabrics or coats of sealing wax or lacquer to patterns used to produce plastic.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Paint or lacquer patterns.	E1 purpose-built robot settings

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025: 2K
Projected employment, 2035: 1K
Change (2025–35): -22.8%
Median annual wage, 2025: $58,000
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
74022	주형원	Overlapping, not the same	reviewed

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 7222.1Overlapping, not the same
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.
mouldmakerESCO 7211.1.3Overlapping, not the same
Mouldmakers manually create moulds for the production of metal products. They mix sand and hardening materials to obtain a specialised mixture. They then use a pattern and one or more cores to produce the right shape impression in this material. The shaped material is then left to set, later to be used as a mould in the production of ferrous and non-ferrous metal castings.

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
H2908	Modeleur / Modeleuse	This occupation is narrowerprovisional
H2910	Mouleur noyauteur / Mouleuse noyauteuse machine	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 narrowerprovisional
7311	Moldeadores y macheros	Related, not a matchprovisional

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
522	鋳物製造・鍛造従事者	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