Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $63,870/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -5.4% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic?
The median pay for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic is $63,870 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic?
Employment for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic is projected to change -5.4% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic?
About 500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.