EN

Occupation · SOC 51-4061

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

There are 2,610 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $63,340 a year. The most jobs are in Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
2,610
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$63,340
Median pay a year
Middle half: $47,360–$86,740
200
Annual openings
10-year change: −17.3%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 10 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $81,110 · LCA filings 0490$81,1100
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $94,950 · LCA filings 0120$94,9500
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $77,710 · LCA filings 080$77,7100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $89,960 · LCA filings 070$89,9600
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MIMedian pay $44,220 · LCA filings 070$44,2200
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $70,980 · LCA filings 060$70,9800
Providence–Warwick, RI–MAMedian pay $58,500 · LCA filings 060$58,5000
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 040n/a0
Rochester, NYMedian pay $76,520 · LCA filings 040$76,5200
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $84,780 · LCA filings 040$84,7800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$94,9501200
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$89,960700
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$84,780400
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIEmployment 490 · LCA filings 0$81,1104900
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$77,710800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $59,800 · Level III $74,006 · Level IV $88,213$45,594$59,800$74,006$88,213
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $80,933 · Level III $98,218 · Level IV $115,523$63,627$80,933$98,218$115,523
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $67,642 · Level III $79,789 · Level IV $91,936$55,494$67,642$79,789$91,936
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $63,294 · Level III $84,157 · Level IV $105,040$42,411$63,294$84,157$105,040
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MILevel II $43,597 · Level III $49,317 · Level IV $55,058$37,856$43,597$49,317$55,058
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $69,555 · Level III $78,894 · Level IV $88,254$60,195$69,555$78,894$88,254
Providence–Warwick, RI–MALevel II $47,362 · Level III $56,784 · Level IV $66,186$37,960$47,362$56,784$66,186
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $54,517 · Level III $63,773 · Level IV $73,029$45,261$54,517$63,773$73,029
Rochester, NYLevel II $64,355 · Level III $71,802 · Level IV $79,227$56,930$64,355$71,802$79,227
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $81,266 · Level III $91,811 · Level IV $102,357$70,720$81,266$91,811$102,357

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Model Makers, Metal and Plastic in every metro area

All 10 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology