Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary
The median pay for a model makers, metal and plastic in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX is $89,960/year ($43.25/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $130K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.09), that's roughly $87,264 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,931/month, about 32.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $90K get you in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington’s Regional Price Parity (103.09). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About model makers, metal and plastics
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What this looks like in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington sits well above the national pay line for model makers, metal and plastic, local pay runs about 42% higher than the U.S. median of $63K. Rent runs $1,931/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 103.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
Entry-level model makers, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $90K. Top earners bring in $130K or more, a $90K spread from bottom to top.
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $93K | +47% | 260 |
| Florida | $80K | +26% | 50 |
| New York | $78K | +23% | 120 |
| New Jersey | $72K | +14% | 70 |
| Illinois | $69K | +9% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $68K | +7% | 100 |
| Texas | $66K | +4% | 230 |
| Indiana | $63K | -1% | 50 |
| Iowa | $62K | -3% | 40 |
| Ohio | $61K | -4% | 60 |
| Michigan | $61K | -4% | 710 |
| Rhode Island | $56K | -12% | 40 |
| Utah | $54K | -15% | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $53K | -16% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $46K | -28% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 15 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track model makers, metal and plastic salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a model makers, metal and plastic afford a 2BR apartment alone in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $90K, rent takes 32.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,931/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for model makers, metal and plastics in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new model makers, metal and plastics typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,395/month. At HUD’s $1,931/month FMR, rent would take 81% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is model makers, metal and plastic a high-paying job in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington?
Local pay is 42% above the national median — $90K here vs. $63K nationally.
How does Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington compare to the national average for model makers, metal and plastics?
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington pays $90K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s +42%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $87K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do model makers, metal and plastics make in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX?
The median is $89,960 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,920, and experienced model makers, metal and plastics can clear $130,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $90K enough to live in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,973/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,931/month, which eats 32.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a model makers, metal and plastic salary go in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington?
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington has a Regional Price Parity of 103.09 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median model makers, metal and plastic salary is worth about $87,264 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do model makers, metal and plastics get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.