Model technician vs pattern finisher

The differences between model technicians and pattern finishers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a model technician and a pattern finisher. Additionally, a model technician has an average salary of $65,416, which is higher than the $33,234 average annual salary of a pattern finisher.

The top three skills for a model technician include CAD, revit and shop drawings. The most important skills for a pattern finisher are hand tools, wax patterns, and quality standards.

Model technician vs pattern finisher overview

	Model Technician	Pattern Finisher
Yearly salary	$65,416	$33,234
Hourly rate	$31.45	$15.98
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	6,577	2,106
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Associate Degree, 40%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Model technician vs pattern finisher salary

Model technicians and pattern finishers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Model Technician	Pattern Finisher
Average salary	$65,416	$33,234
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $114,000	Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Houston, TX	-
Highest paying state	Michigan	-
Best paying company	IRI	-
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between model technician and pattern finisher education

There are a few differences between a model technician and a pattern finisher in terms of educational background:

	Model Technician	Pattern Finisher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Associate Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Graphic Design
Most common college	-	-

Model technician vs pattern finisher demographics

Here are the differences between model technicians' and pattern finishers' demographics:

	Model Technician	Pattern Finisher
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1%	Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.7% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between model technician and pattern finisher duties and responsibilities

Model technician example responsibilities.

Prepare diagnostic models of a patient's mouth and teeth from impressions with stone.
Read and follow doctor's instructions and requests on prescriptions for teeth being reset.
Coordinate international sample/model making for costume jewelry
Wax margins, opaque PFM, s and zirconium copings and create porcelain margins.

Pattern finisher example responsibilities.

Develop patterns using AutoCAD while working closely with manufacturing to ensure the customer order is processed accurately with minimum lead time.
Follow and demonstrate the significance of FDA code of regulations during audits to identify recommendations and non-conformances.

Model technician vs pattern finisher skills

Common model technician skills

CAD, 33%
Revit, 32%
Shop Drawings, 12%
Dental Impressions, 9%
Dentures, 8%
Base Models, 3%

Common pattern finisher skills

Hand Tools, 82%
WAX Patterns, 11%
Quality Standards, 7%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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