How to become a model maker
Official title: Model maker
Also called: Architectural model maker, Special effects model builder, Scale model maker, Wood model maker, Metal model maker, Model builder
Model makers use tools and machinery to make models and templates of objects and products from wood, metal, plastic and other materials.
Main tasks
- Make models from materials
- Use tools and machinery
- Cut materials into required shapes
- Shape materials using hand tools
- Drill holes in model parts
- Assemble model parts
- Inspect finished models for quality
- Design tools and fixtures
How to become one
You need experience to become a model maker and a qualification may be useful. You usually need NCEA Level 3 or University Entrance to do the study or training for this job. Required: experience in similar work. Other requirements: a New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4); a Bachelor of Design; a Bachelor of Architectural Studies; a Bachelor of Creative Technologies or similar; a Bachelor of Arts.
Ways in
- University: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 6 universities in New Zealand
- University: Architecture & Built Environment degrees, Offered by 5 universities in New Zealand
- University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 5 universities in New Zealand
- Certificates and diplomas: Advanced certificates and diplomas in visual arts. TEC links this job to study in visual arts and crafts. Qualifications: NZ Dip in Arts and Design, Dip in Art and Creativity (Advanced), Dip in Fine Arts. Usually 1 year. Graduates of these qualifications earn a median $42,000 a year one year after study and $52,000 five years after; 43% are employed one year after (TEC, from Stats NZ IDI data).
Pay
- Most common pay: $73,197 to $110,488 a year (median $87,648), a TEC estimate before tax.
- Lower: $58,747 a year · Upper: $133,329 a year
- TEC's pay figures are estimates only. TEC says they must not be used to set pay, in pay negotiations or in visa applications.
Related jobs
- Glass blower
- Musical instrument repairer and tuner
- Painting, coating and decorating worker
- Manufacturing potter
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Questions people ask
How do I become a model maker?
You need experience to become a model maker and a qualification may be useful. You usually need NCEA Level 3 or University Entrance to do the study or training for this job. Required: experience in similar work. Other requirements: a New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4); a Bachelor of Design; a Bachelor of Architectural Studies; a Bachelor of Creative Technologies or similar; a Bachelor of Arts.
How much does a model maker earn in New Zealand?
The Tertiary Education Commission estimates median pay at $87,648 a year, before tax. Most common pay is $73,197 to $110,488 a year.
Sources
- Tertiary Education Commission (Tahatu Career Navigator): Tahatu career ideas: descriptions, tasks, pay estimates, people employed, employment change 2018 to 2023, entry requirements, registration, interest scores (Site scrape 2026-10 (816 career ideas, sitemap lastmod 2026-10-01)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
This content is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahatu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. All or some of the information has been modified by Peernovo. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this content.
Qualification information from NZQA, used under CC BY 3.0 NZ.
This work is based on/includes Stats NZ's data which are licensed by Stats NZ for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. Census data via Figure.NZ.
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Sources: Tertiary Education Commission, Tahatū Career Navigator (career ideas, pay estimates, entry requirements and study options, CC BY 4.0, modified by Peernovo); Stats NZ, 2023 Census (via Figure.NZ) and the National Occupation List (CC BY 4.0); NZQA qualification information (CC BY 3.0 NZ); O*NET interest scores (CC BY 4.0); ILO global generative AI exposure index (CC BY 4.0). Links between career ideas and ANZSCO groups, degree fields and broad job groups are Peernovo's.
These results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.
Graduate outcomes: these results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.
Updated 4 October 2026