AI exposure score

Model Makers, Wood

Model Makers, Wood score 15 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #683 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 14 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 2 more with extra software built on top of it. None of its tasks showed up in real AI use in April–May 2026.

15/ 100

Low

Rank: #683of 923 jobs
US workers: 280BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $56,550a year
In real AI use: 0 of 14tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (7%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 2 (14%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 11 (79%)

Maintain pattern records for reference.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
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.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Select wooden stock, determine layouts, and mark layouts of parts on stock, using precision equipment such as scribers, squares, and protractors.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Mark identifying information on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods and details.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Fabricate work aids such as scrapers or templates.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Build jigs that can be used as guides for assembling oversized or special types of box shooks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Issue patterns to designated machine operators.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Finish patterns or models with protective or decorative coatings such as shellac, lacquer, or wax.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about model makers, wood and AI

Will AI replace model makers, wood?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Model Makers, Wood score 15 out of 100 (low exposure), #683 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 3 of the job's 14 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 11 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which model makers, wood tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Maintain pattern records for reference".

Which model makers, wood tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices"; "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"; "Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, screws, and other fasteners".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Not much yet. None of the job's tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude in April–May 2026, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as model makers, wood, and what do they earn?

About 280 people in the US, with median pay of $56,550 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Model Makers, Wood

Task by task

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Questions about model makers, wood and AI

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