Skip to content
Boston Career Explorer

Production

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

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.

Also called: CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Programmer (Computer Numerical Control Programmer), Metal Model Maker, Model Builder, Model Maker, Model Maker Machinist

Median pay in Greater Boston
$70,980
$34.13/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
60
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−20.9%
10 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$56,430$64,930$70,980$94,770$118,030

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences.
  • Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models.
  • Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts.
  • Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers.
  • Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.
  • Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Lower exposure23 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 25
  • Language-model AIOE 22
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 23

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is lower, and observed AI use is little or none. AI tools could help with reading drawings, planning the order of operations, and programming CNC parts. Setting up machines, cutting and shaping metal, and testing parts by hand still rely on people. The bigger change is 3D printers replacing some hand-built models, and Massachusetts employment is projected to fall.

Likely to change

  • Planning operations from blueprints and sketches
  • Writing programs for CNC machines

Still relies on people

  • Setting up and running lathes and saws
  • Checking parts with precision measuring tools

What federal projections say

“Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as models made with 3D printers replace hand crafted models.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Machinists

    Lathe, mill, and measuring skills carry over directly. Machinists have a Boston median pay of $72,060 and slower projected decline than model makers.

    Pay difference
    +$1,080 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +2.2%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Your machine knowledge helps with repairing and maintaining production equipment. Massachusetts growth is projected at 17.1%, with a Boston median pay of $75,200.

    Pay difference
    +$4,220 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +17.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

    Hand and power tool skills help in repairing mechanical controls and valves. Boston median pay is $95,520, and the work involves keeping repair records.

    Pay difference
    +$24,540 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.8%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

Talk to a career coach