Model Makers, Wood
Machines can already do 24% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Model Makers, Wood in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 24% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 280 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $56,550 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 58% for contact with people.
- Also called: Builder, Craftsman, Jig Maker, Model Builder.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools | 15% | 20% to 60% | |
| 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 | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools | 12% | 20% to 60% | |
| Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups | 8% | 42% to 72% | |
| Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices | 8% | 30% to 75% | |
| Select wooden stock, determine layouts, and mark layouts of parts on stock, using precision equipment such as scribers, squares, and protractors | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products | 7% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills model makers, wood use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Electricians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $63,190
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $63,870
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $58,970
- Patternmakers, Wood62% of tasks by 2035 · US median $49,630
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Model Makers, Wood?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of model makers, wood?
Machines can do 24% of the tasks of model makers, wood today and 63% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-7031.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Model Makers, Wood: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/model-makers-wood/