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Salary comparison

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Model Makers, Metal and Plastics out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by $19K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Model Makers, Metal and Plastics land at $63,340 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss at $44,650. The education gap is real: model makers, metal and plastic programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Model Makers, Metal and Plastics is California ($92,960); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$63,340
$44,650
Hourly rate
$30.45/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,760
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$99,010
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
2,610
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
California
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Model Makers, Metal and Plastic median pay.

State
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
California
$92,960
$47,720
Florida
$79,930
$38,410
New York
$77,710
$44,580
New Jersey
$72,340
$37,620
Illinois
$68,890
$44,140
Massachusetts
$67,830
$46,720
Texas
$65,920
$38,320
Indiana
$62,620
$45,550
Iowa
$61,550
$48,920
Ohio
$60,880
$45,720
Michigan
$60,540
$44,690
Rhode Island
$55,560
$40,590
Utah
$53,650
$44,040
Pennsylvania
$52,990
$44,160
North Carolina
$45,760
$40,330

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Model Makers, Metal and Plastics or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss?

Model Makers, Metal and Plastics earn more nationally. The median is $63,340 for Model Makers, Metal and Plastics versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss, a difference of $19K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Model Makers, Metal and Plastics get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Model Makers, Metal and Plastics at $92,960/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Model Makers, Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Model Makers, Metal and Plastics earn $92,960 vs. $47,720 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Model Makers, Metal and Plastics by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a model makers, metal and plasticGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →