A patternmaker in wood creates patterns and templates used to manufacture wooden parts and products. It is hands-on, technical work that draws on math and design skills. You can start with a high school education and on-the-job training.
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Patternmakers in wood draft designs and lay out specifications for wooden components used in manufacturing. You read technical drawings, think through creative solutions to production challenges, and operate machines to shape wood according to precise measurements. The work involves monitoring processes, making decisions about how to best construct patterns, and performing physical tasks at the workbench and with equipment. You gather information from engineers and production teams, then translate that into working patterns that guide how parts are made.
Core work activities
Patternmakers, Wood earn a median of $49,630 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 5 percent from 2024 to 2034.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most patternmakers in wood start with a high school diploma or equivalent. From there, you typically learn through on-the-job training, working alongside experienced patternmakers who teach you how to read drawings, use tools and machines, and apply mathematics to layout work. Some employers offer formal apprenticeships or training programs. The role requires medium-level preparation, so you will build skills gradually as you gain experience in the shop and develop your technical knowledge of wood, design, and manufacturing processes.
Patternmakers typically enter through apprenticeships, employer training programs, or direct hire with on-the-job instruction. If you are exploring this path and want to map out your next steps, Pathly can map the patternmaker, wood path that fits you with your school counselor or career advisor to build a plan that fits your timeline.
You are drawn to hands-on, practical work and enjoy solving real-world problems with tools and machines. You think logically about how things fit together and take pride in precision and craftsmanship.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).