How To Become A Prototype Model Maker: What It Is and Career Path

What is a prototype model maker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a prototype model maker. For example, did you know that they make an average of $20.4 an hour? That's $42,440 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -5% and produce -45,900 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScorePrototype Model MakerUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,440

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.4

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.95%

Asian 6.38%

Black or African American 7.21%

Hispanic or Latino 14.90%

Unknown 4.31%

White 66.25%

Gender

female 9.86%

male 90.14%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

8.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a prototype model maker

Explore prototype model maker education requirements

Most common prototype model maker degrees

Bachelor's

39.0 %

Associate

29.3 %

High School Diploma

17.1 %

Start to develop specific prototype model maker skills

Skills	Percentages
Prototype	25.98%
CNC	21.17%
Cam	12.41%
Prototyping	11.44%
Jigs	11.09%

Complete relevant prototype model maker training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 4-10 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New prototype model makers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a prototype model maker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real prototype model maker resumes.

Research prototype model maker duties and responsibilities

Design and build out new model shop facility enabling more precise and efficient prototyping operations.
Increase use of CNC lathe and mill; skil on the lathe, mill and surface grinder.
Conduct tours and presentations explaining capabilities of all rapid prototyping machines.
Expedite product design and engineering projects as exclusive operator of the LOM machine with additional responsibility for SLA finishing.

Prepare your prototype model maker resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your prototype model maker resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a prototype model maker resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable prototype model maker resume templates

Build a professional prototype model maker resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your prototype model maker resume.