Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Career, Salary and Skills
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $63,870 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 5,970. Wage data is published for 34 locations.
Occupation description
Lay out reference points and dimensions on metal or plastic stock or workpieces, such as sheets, plates, tubes, structural shapes, castings, or machine parts, for further processing. Includes shipfitters.
O*NET code
51-4192.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$63,870
Hourly median
$30.71
Employment
5,970
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Active Listening | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Coordination | 2.88 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- Mark curves, lines, holes, dimensions, and welding symbols onto workpieces, using scribes, soapstones, punches, and hand drills.
- Plan locations and sequences of cutting, drilling, bending, rolling, punching, and welding operations, using compasses, protractors, dividers, and rules.
- Fit and align fabricated parts to be welded or assembled.
- Locate center lines and verify template positions, using measuring instruments such as gauge blocks, height gauges, and dial indicators.
- Plan and develop layouts from blueprints and templates, applying knowledge of trigonometry, design, effects of heat, and properties of metals.
- Lay out and fabricate metal structural parts such as plates, bulkheads, and frames.
- Compute layout dimensions, and determine and mark reference points on metal stock or workpieces for further processing, such as welding and assembly.
- Lift and position workpieces in relation to surface plates, manually or with hoists, and using parallel blocks and angle plates.
Technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Hexagon Metrology PC-DMIS
- Inventory tracking software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Optical Gaging Products Measure-X
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in VAMedian $70,260 · Employment 1,080
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Virginia Beach, VAMedian $67,540 · Employment 770
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in KSMedian $79,240 · Employment 610
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Wichita, KSMedian $79,240 · Employment 590
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in WAMedian $85,300 · Employment 500
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in CAMedian $74,490 · Employment 480
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Bremerton, WAMedian $79,890 · Employment 440
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in San Diego, CAMedian $74,490 · Employment 250
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in FLMedian $58,170 · Employment 200
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in ALMedian $37,590 · Employment 190
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in TXMedian $48,220 · Employment 190
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary in MEMedian $74,530 · Employment 180
Related careers
- BoilermakersNational median $76,410
- Electromechanical Equipment AssemblersNational median not published
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment AssemblersNational median not published
- Mechanical DraftersNational median $71,550
- Cabinetmakers and Bench CarpentersNational median $46,680
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $52,800
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersNational median $47,920
- MachinistsNational median $58,750
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.