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Occupation · 2026 assessment

Model Maker

A Model Maker performs physical work with materials, loads or equipment and is accountable for safe execution at a real worksite. The assessment separates automation of individual tasks from accountability for the professional outcome.

Moderate risk level Search jobs ↗
How risk may change

A forecast estimate, not a guaranteed scenario.

44%2026
47%2028
51%2030
57%2035

Which tasks are exposed

Risk applies to individual tasks—not to a person or an entire occupation.

TaskRisk
preparing the worksite and tools62%
reading the work order or process sheet57%
performing the core manual operation53%
checking dimensions and quality48%
moving materials42%
correcting local defects32%
following safety procedures21%
handing over completed work13%

Task map

AI replaces ↔ AI augments

Each task is positioned by AI capability and the degree of human involvement still required.

  1. 1preparing the worksite and toolsAI 62% · human 63%
  2. 2reading the work order or process sheetAI 57% · human 52%
  3. 3performing the core manual operationAI 53% · human 57%
  4. 4checking dimensions and qualityAI 48% · human 54%
  5. 5moving materialsAI 42% · human 64%
  6. 6correcting local defectsAI 32% · human 71%
  7. 7following safety proceduresAI 21% · human 74%
  8. 8handing over completed workAI 13% · human 73%

Why technology can change this work

  • digital tools reduce preparation and control time
  • repeatable physical operations can be mechanised or robotised in structured environments
  • a material share of the job follows stable procedures
  • key information often emerges only through direct work

What protects the occupation

  • creative direction
  • understanding people and context
  • quality judgement beyond formal metrics

United States · before tax

Average pay and outlook

Estimated nominal monthly pay. The scenario reflects sector, demand and task resilience; it is not a guarantee of income.

2026$6 500per month
2035$8 800scenario estimate
2026: $6 50020262027: $6 70020272028: $6 95020282029: $7 20020292030: $7 45020302031: $7 70020312032: $7 95020322033: $8 20020332034: $8 50020342035: $8 8002035
Find jobs ↗The partner link may contain referral parameters. Data benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗

Practical next step

Where to move next

Do not restart from zero: carry your experience forward and add scarce skills.

Human-AI Collaboration Designer

Emerging role
New role risk25%
DemandHighDifficultyLowTime3–6 monthsSkill fit89%

Adaptive Learning Designer

Emerging role
New role risk18%
DemandHighDifficultyMediumTime6–12 monthsSkill fit64%

Product Manager

Established resilient role
New role risk31%
DemandMediumDifficultyMediumTime6–12 monthsSkill fit58%

Generative Design Engineer

Emerging role
New role risk16%
DemandHighDifficultyHighTime12–24 monthsSkill fit52%

Spatial Computing Producer

Emerging role
New role risk26%
DemandHighDifficultyLowTime3–6 monthsSkill fit81%

Virtual Production Director

Emerging role
New role risk29%
DemandHighDifficultyMediumTime6–12 monthsSkill fit64%

Job search and transitions

Find work with a lower risk index

Compare adjacent paths and open a current search for the selected occupation.

Skills you already have

  • safe work practices
  • tool operation
  • reading drawings and work orders
  • quality control
  • physical coordination
  • equipment maintenance

Skills to build

  • digital work orders
  • machine-vision inspection
  • working alongside robots
  • safety sensors
  • predictive maintenance
  • lean production
CurrentModel Maker · 44%
→
Keepsafe work practices · tool operation · reading drawings and work orders
→
Adddigital work orders · machine-vision inspection · working alongside robots

Sources and update

Updated: 2026-09-26 · Assessment confidence: Medium

International Labour Organization · 2025Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure

Nearly 30,000 tasks; a global assessment of GenAI exposure across detailed occupational groups.

World Economic Forum · 2025The Future of Jobs Report 2025

A survey of more than 1,000 employers representing over 14 million workers across 55 economies.

O*NET Resource Center · 2026O*NET Database

Occupational, task, skill and work-context structure.