51 Series · SOC 51-7031

Model Makers, Wood Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$56,550
Median / year
$98,050
Top 10% earn
-4.5%
Growth '23–'33
280
US workers

Model Makers, Wood earn a median of $56,550 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $56,550, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $34,800 (10th percentile) to $98,050 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 280 US workers. Ohio pays the most ($35,900), since pay varies by state and metro area.

51 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Model Makers, Wood earn a median of $56,550, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 42% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #22 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 4.5% by 2033.

$56,550
Median annual wage
Top 58%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#22 of 105
in Production
2.8×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Ohio at $35,900. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Model Makers, Wood (SOC 51-7031) pays a national median of $56,550 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $34,800 at the 10th percentile to $98,050 at the 90th, with a mean of $63,670 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 280 Americans work in this occupation across 1 reporting states and 0 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -4.5% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 100 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Ohio pays the highest state median at $35,900, which is 37% below the national figure. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 280 jobs Median $56,550/yr

Median Salary

$56,550

per year

Median Hourly

$27.19/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$63,670

average

Employment

280

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Model Makers, Wood pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$56,550 Bottom 42% higher than 42% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). This entry sits in this band. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Above this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Model Makers, Wood; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Model Makers, Wood sits on the slower-growing side at -4.5% growth and $56,550 median pay.

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Model Makers, Wood sits on the slower-growing side at -4.5% growth and $56,550 median pay. Scatter plot of 23 data points. $30000$40000$50000$60000$70000$80000 -15%-10%-5%0%5%10% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Model Makers, Wood sits on the slower-growing side at -4.5% growth and $56,550 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-4.5%

Declining

Annual Openings

100

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
B

Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

3.5/100K

Injury Rate

3.2/100

Danger Index

14.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Model Makers, Wood roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Monitoring 3.1
Operations Monitoring 3.1
Reading Comprehension 3.0
Speaking 3.0
Critical Thinking 3.0
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0
Time Management 3.0
Active Listening 2.9
Operations Analysis 2.9
Operation and Control 2.9

Knowledge Areas

Production and Processing 4.0
Design 3.8
Building and Construction 3.6
Engineering and Technology 3.4
Mathematics 3.4
Administration and Management 3.4
Mechanical 3.2
English Language 3.0
Customer and Personal Service 2.9
Computers and Electronics 2.5

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
  • ▸ Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners.
  • ▸ Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices.
  • ▸ Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
  • ▸ Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.
  • ▸ Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools.
  • ▸ Select wooden stock, determine layouts, and mark layouts of parts on stock, using precision equipment such as scribers, squares, and protractors.
  • ▸ Mark identifying information on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods and details.
  • ▸ Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and planers to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
  • ▸ Maintain pattern records for reference.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$34,800$37,660$56,550$87,150$98,050
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$16.73$18.10$27.19$41.90$47.14
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$34,800

25th Percentile

$37,660

Median

$56,550

75th Percentile

$87,150

90th Percentile

$98,050

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Ohio $35,900

Lowest Paying States

-3. Ohio $35,900
View all 1 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Ohio $35,900 37% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 51 (production) with comparable pay and career paths.

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

SOC 51-9191

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

SOC 51-2011

Bakers

SOC 51-3011

Butchers and Meat Cutters

SOC 51-3021

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

SOC 51-7011
Compare Model Makers, Wood side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Model Makers, Wood make? ▼
The median annual salary for Model Makers, Wood is $56,550 ($27.19/hour). The salary range spans from $34,800 at the 10th percentile to $98,050 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Model Makers, Wood the most? ▼
Ohio pays the highest median salary for Model Makers, Wood at $35,900/year, which is 37% below the national median.
What education do you need to become a Model Makers, Wood? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Model Makers, Wood is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Model Makers, Wood? ▼
Model Makers, Wood has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 3.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.2 per 100 workers.
Is Model Makers, Wood a good career? ▼
Employment for Model Makers, Wood is projected to decline 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 100 openings are projected each year.

What to do with this data

How to use Model Makers, Wood pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $87,150/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Ohio leads at $35,900/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.