Prevailing Wage for Model Makers, Wood
Prevailing wage requirements for Model Makers, Wood (SOC 51-7031) apply to every sponsored position, whether the offer is for a Model Builder at a manufacturing firm or a Craftsman at a product-design studio. DOL sets four experience-based wage levels, and the floor for each shifts considerably by worksite city. Check your offer against the correct level and location before signing.
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Entry-level wood model makers with limited experience performing routine tasks under close supervision. Typically no specialized credentials beyond basic woodworking knowledge. DOL treats this as the starting floor for workers new to precision model construction in a professional setting.
Qualified workers with moderate experience who handle standard model-making assignments with some independence. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Model Makers, Wood, covering journeyman-level Jig Makers and Model Builders who work from specifications without constant oversight.
Experienced model makers who independently manage complex precision projects, troubleshoot construction problems, and may guide junior staff. Employers filing at this level typically require several years of demonstrated specialty work, such as producing intricate scale prototypes or custom wood jigs.
Fully competent senior-level professionals with broad mastery of precision wood modeling techniques. Often includes loft workers or lead Jig Makers who set quality standards, approve designs, and take responsibility for high-tolerance production outcomes with minimal supervision.
Prevailing Wage for Model Makers, Wood by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Confirm your filing level matches your jig complexity
Employers sometimes file Model Makers, Wood at Level 1 even when the role requires building precision jigs or interpreting engineering drawings. If your work involves tolerance specifications or prototype development, Level 2 or Level 3 is likely the correct floor.
Watch how signing bonuses affect your annualized wage
For wood model-making roles, some employers pad base offers with one-time signing bonuses. DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against the regular rate of pay, not amortized bonuses. Confirm your base salary alone clears the applicable level floor.
Check sponsorship history for manufacturing and aerospace employers
Wood model makers appear most often in aerospace, automotive, and industrial product firms. Migrate Mate shows which specific employers have sponsored this occupation before, letting you target companies with an established track record rather than starting from scratch.
Avoid title-aliasing that routes you to the wrong SOC
Titles like Product Development Carpenter or Builder sometimes get filed under general woodworking or carpentry SOC codes instead of 51-7031. An incorrect SOC code can set a lower prevailing wage floor, creating compliance risk that may surface during an H-1B audit.
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Find Jobs for Model Makers, WoodPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-7031.00 alongside Model Makers, Wood, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Builder Prevailing Wage
Builder Prevailing Wage
Builder positions fall under SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Craftsman Prevailing Wage
Craftsman Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Craftsman for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Jig Maker Prevailing Wage
Jig Maker Prevailing Wage
Jig Maker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Model Builder Prevailing Wage
Model Builder Prevailing Wage
Model Builder positions fall under SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Model Maker Prevailing Wage
Model Maker Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Model Maker for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Product Development Carpenter Prevailing Wage
Product Development Carpenter Prevailing Wage
Product Development Carpenter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Sample Builder Prevailing Wage
Sample Builder Prevailing Wage
Sample Builder positions fall under SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Sample Maker Prevailing Wage
Sample Maker Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Sample Maker for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sample Worker Prevailing Wage
Sample Worker Prevailing Wage
Sample Worker is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Wood Carver Prevailing Wage
Wood Carver Prevailing Wage
Wood Carver positions fall under SOC 51-7031.00 (Model Makers, Wood). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Model Makers, Wood?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through employer surveys. For SOC 51-7031, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification assigns a wage to each of four experience levels based on the wage distribution for that occupation in the relevant geographic area. Employers must pay at least the level that matches the actual job duties described on the Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
Level 1 covers entry-level workers under close supervision. Level 2 applies to workers with moderate experience who operate with some independence. Level 3 covers experienced professionals handling complex tasks, sometimes mentoring others. Level 4 is for fully competent senior workers setting quality standards. Your level is determined by the actual duties, complexity, and supervision described in the job, not the title alone.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much by city?
OFLC derives wage floors from regional OES surveys, which reflect local labor market conditions. A wood model-making position in a high-cost metro with dense aerospace or automotive employers will show a higher floor than the same duties performed in a lower-wage market. The worksite address listed on the LCA controls which regional wage applies, so if you work remotely or at a client site, that location's wage governs.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
DOL will not certify an LCA if the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage level. Without a certified LCA, USCIS cannot approve an H-1B or other work visa petition. If an underpayment is discovered after filing, the employer faces potential back-pay liability and debarment from future sponsorships. Candidates should verify their offer independently before any petition is filed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you look up wages by SOC code, experience level, and metropolitan area. Enter SOC 51-7031 and the worksite city to see the four-level wage table. For H-1B petitions, you can also review OFLC disclosure data to see what wage levels past employers filed for this occupation. Migrate Mate lists employers that have sponsored Model Makers, Wood before, giving you a starting point for your search.
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