Patternmaker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Patternmakers Make?
Patternmakers earn a median annual salary of $54,540 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $39,150 at the 10th percentile to $79,690 at the 90th percentile — a range of $40,540. The highest-paying state is Illinois at $80,190.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,150 |
| 25th percentile | $47,520 |
| Median (50th) | $54,540 |
| 75th percentile | $66,590 |
| 90th percentile | $79,690 |
Patternmaker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinoistop | $80,190 |
| Michigan | $73,730 |
| Minnesota | $66,120 |
| California | $65,570 |
| Massachusetts | $63,480 |
| Ohio | $63,420 |
| Iowa | $63,300 |
| Washington | $59,740 |
| Indiana | $53,980 |
| Texas | $52,960 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,000 |
| Alabama | $48,660 |
| Wisconsin | $47,540 |
| Tennessee | $38,680 |
| North Carolina | $37,970 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Patternmakers
Patternmaker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$39,150 – $47,520 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$54,540 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$66,590 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $79,690+ |
How to Earn More as a Patternmaker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Patternmakers in Michigan earn $73,730 — $19,190 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($66,590) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Patternmaker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Patternmakerthis career | $54,540 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $68,510 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,850 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler | $61,680 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitter | $49,900 |
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SOC: 51-4062.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.