Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Salary
The median pay for a model makers, metal and plastic in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI is $81,110/year ($39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.3), that's roughly $80,867 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,411/month, or 27.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $81K get you in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Detroit-Warren-Dearborn’s Regional Price Parity (100.3). 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
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn sits well above the national pay line for model makers, metal and plastic, local pay runs about 28% higher than the U.S. median of $63K. Rent runs $1,411/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.3) 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.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for model makers, metal and plastics in metros near Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | $44K | $46K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Entry-level model makers, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $59K 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
Can a model makers, metal and plastic afford a 2BR apartment alone in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 27.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,411/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for model makers, metal and plastics in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new model makers, metal and plastics typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,402/month. At HUD’s $1,411/month FMR, rent would take 59% 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn?
Local pay is 28% above the national median — $81K here vs. $63K nationally.
How does Detroit-Warren-Dearborn compare to the national average for model makers, metal and plastics?
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s +28%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.3), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do model makers, metal and plastics make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median is $81,110 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,040, and experienced model makers, metal and plastics can clear $99,010. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,167/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,411/month, which eats 27.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a model makers, metal and plastic salary go in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn?
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn has a Regional Price Parity of 100.3 (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 $80,867 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.