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Sample Maker Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tool Maker Worker

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$25.57 - $45.50/hr

Makes templates from flat layout masters; makes sample parts from extruded or standard formed materials where pickup and/or interpretation of information from plaster patterns; fabricates individual ...

Tool Maker Worker

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$25.57 - $45.50/hr

Makes templates from flat layout masters; makes sample parts from extruded or standard formed materials where pickup and/or interpretation of information from plaster patterns; fabricates individual ...

Key Job Functions: • Following batch making schedule and making all liquids necessary to fulfill orders • Taking all batch samples with corresponding batch sheet to Chemist for quality control ...

Key Job Functions: • Following batch making schedule and making all liquids necessary to fulfill orders • Taking all batch samples with corresponding batch sheet to Chemist for quality control ...

... sample sizing and evaluation of success * Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop ... High data acumen; data-driven decision-maker * Understanding of A/B testing, funnel analysis, and ...

Showing results 41-60

Sample Maker information

See California salary details

$11

$17

$21

How much do sample maker jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for sample maker in California is $17.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.43 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sample maker?

Sample Makers are skilled professionals who create prototypes or samples of products, typically in industries like fashion, manufacturing, or product design. They interpret design specifications, select appropriate materials, and construct sample items that serve as models for mass production. Their work is crucial for testing product concepts, refining designs, and ensuring quality before full-scale manufacturing begins. Sample Makers often collaborate closely with designers, engineers, and production teams to ensure the final product meets all requirements.

What does a sample maker do?

A sample maker most commonly works for a fashion company and tests a sample pattern on a piece of fabric before it goes into large-scale production. As a sample maker, your responsibilities include creating fabric samples for clothing or garment makers and sending these partial samples or prototypes for different apparel products to your supervisor or other technical directors. Other duties include ensuring that the technical aspect of the production is free of flaws and that garment factory owners clearly understand the directions for large-scale production of the patterns.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sample maker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sample Maker, you need strong technical skills in pattern making, garment construction, and a solid understanding of textiles, usually supported by experience or vocational training in fashion or manufacturing. Familiarity with sewing machines, CAD software, and measuring tools is often required, along with knowledge of industry standards. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are essential soft skills for accurately interpreting design specifications and collaborating with designers. These skills ensure the creation of high-quality prototypes that meet design intent and production requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by sample makers, and how can they be effectively managed?

Sample Makers often encounter challenges such as working with tight deadlines, adapting to last-minute design changes, and ensuring precise execution of prototypes. Managing these challenges requires strong attention to detail, effective communication with designers and production teams, and flexibility in problem-solving. Being proactive in requesting feedback and maintaining organized documentation can also help streamline the sample-making process and improve collaboration.

What is the difference between Sample Maker vs Pattern Maker?

AspectSample MakerPattern Maker
Primary RoleCreates physical prototypes or samples of garments based on design specifications.Develops and drafts patterns used to cut fabric for garment production.
Required SkillsSewing, fabric knowledge, and sample construction techniques.Pattern drafting, grading, and technical drawing skills.
Work EnvironmentSeamstress workshops, fashion studios, or sample rooms.Design studios, pattern departments, or technical design offices.
Industry UsageUsed in fashion, apparel, and costume design for creating prototypes.Used in apparel manufacturing, pattern development, and technical design.

The main difference between a Sample Maker and a Pattern Maker lies in their focus: Sample Makers build physical garment samples, while Pattern Makers develop the patterns used to produce those garments. Both roles are essential in the fashion industry, often working closely together to bring design concepts to life efficiently.

How do you become a sample maker?

To become a sample maker, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and develop skills in sewing, pattern making, and garment construction. Gaining experience through apprenticeships or technical training programs in fashion or textiles can also help build proficiency with tools like sewing machines and pattern software.

How much does a sample maker make?

A sample maker's salary varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $25,000 to $60,000 annually. Skilled sample makers with specialized tools or certifications may earn higher wages, especially in fashion or manufacturing environments where precision is important.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sample Maker jobs in California?

The most popular types of Sample Maker jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Sample Maker jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Sample Maker jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Sample Maker jobs?

Cities in California with the most Sample Maker job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Sample Maker jobs in CA?

For Sample Maker jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Sample Maker job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,641 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Tool Maker Worker

Palmdale, CA • On-site

Lockheed Martin Corporation
Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

$25.57 - $45.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Lockheed Martin rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 400 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Standard Job Description
Fabricates and assembles details for all types of tooling such as jigs, fixtures, tools and dies, including pierce, blank and form dies, all standard and related tooling, standard power brake punches and dies, form blocks, plastic and wood tools, working in close conjunction with more highly -skilled tooling personnel; scribes lines for contour and hole location layouts from such references as tooling templates; prepares rough tooling stock for final finishing; trims laminated fiberglass tools; performs gating operations preparatory to casting plastic nests and faces for plastic forming tools; installs new or replaces worn or damaged bushings; mixes, prepares and applies plaster to pattern frames; makes splash frames for forming operations and takes less complex types of plaster splashes; clamps structural components for welding and locates tooling reference points on jig structures, tools and dies after methods and sequences have been determined by others; sets up and operates such equipment as drill presses, arbor presses, power shears, power saws, band files, radial drill presses, pedestal and disc grinders, and other power tools to perform such operations as grinding to form and maintain cutters, sanding, drilling, reaming, tapping, spot facing, counterboring, sawing and filing, where it is required to interpret and work from blueprints, tooling drawings and sketches, using machinist hand tools and precision measuring instruments, and exercising a knowledge of cutting characteristics of metals, feeds and speeds of machines and of related machine shop practices and procedures, including shop mathematics.
Fabricates, assembles, and reworks multiple operation router blocks and/or multiple operation hand and hydropress forming blocks and accessories, when required tooling and information are available.
Lays out flat and simple templates using empirical bend allowance formulae.
Makes templates from flat layout masters; makes sample parts from extruded or standard formed materials where pickup and/or interpretation of information from plaster patterns; fabricates individual contour templates for use in box template setups.
Fabricates shims, spacers, clamps, jig base and locator pads, ribs and other structural components. Prepares rough die stock, pipe, bar, plate and tubular stock for layout, machining, painting or inspection.
Moves, positions and helps others in handling, moving and positioning parts, dies, tools, equipment, fixtures and heavy materials as assigned; assists others in braking down setups, and returns tools and fixtures to proper sources; lays out and finishes simple templates such as individual trim, drill and bend templates, working from established references and blueprints, duplicates all types of individual templates from master layouts; cuts, fits, punches, shears and repairs templates as required; operates such machinery as saws, routers drill presses, shears, pedestal and disc grinders to perform such routine operations such as trimming, burring, sanding and drilling; performs assembly of tooling.
Paints and properly identifies and codes tooling.
Improvise shop aids to facilitate completion of work assignments.
Performs disassembly and cleaning of tooling. Checks tools for wear, damage, etc., and replaces defective or worn components such as bushings, shims, clamps and pins, and reassembles same.
Help maintain work area and machinery in a clean and orderly condition.
Basic Qualifications
Utilizes Blueprint Reading and shop mathematics or equivalent.
Must possess a minimum of one year of experience operating machine tools.
Desired Skills
Pay Information
  • $25.57 - $45.50

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow-both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only.
Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
  • Additional specific benefits are dependent upon the business unit and the collective-bargaining agreement.
  • Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
  • For (Washington state applicants only) Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.

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About Lockheed Martin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As a global security and aerospace company, the majority of Lockheed Martin's business is with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. federal government agencies.The remaining portion of Lockheed Martin's business is comprised of international government and commercial sales of products, services and platforms.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bethesda, MD, US

Year founded

1912