Also called: Armature Maker, Model Maker
Builds the tiny puppets, metal skeletons, costumes, and sets used in stop-motion films.
A puppet fabricator machines a ball-and-socket metal skeleton, sculpts and molds a silicone face, and sews a coat the size of a postage stamp.
Approximate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Sculpture, model making, or machining skills; often learned on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 4-year college, Self-taught. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Sculpture, Industrial Design, Machining (trade school).
Growing slowly. Very small niche.
Low risk for 10 years. 3D printing helps make parts, but building puppets, armatures and tiny costumes by hand stays hands-on craft.
Classes: Art (sculpture), Metal shop or jewelry, Sewing or FACS, Woodshop.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-9195.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.