Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
SOC code 51-4192 · O*NET-SOC 51-4192.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$63,870
a year
Hourly
$30.71
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$66,520
$31.98 per hour
Middle 50%
$50,910 – $79,470
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$39,980 – $93,860
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
5,970
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $39,980
- $19.22/hr
- 25th percentile
- $50,910
- $24.48/hr
- Median percentile
- $63,870
- $30.71/hr
- 75th percentile
- $79,470
- $38.21/hr
- 90th percentile
- $93,860
- $45.12/hr
What do layout workers, metal and plastic do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Install doors, hatches, brackets, and clips.
- Compute layout dimensions, and determine and mark reference points on metal stock or workpieces for further processing, such as welding and assembly.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 60% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)60%
- Some College Courses15%
- Post-Secondary Certificate12%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9%
Common questions
How much does a layout workers, metal and plastic earn?
The national median is $63,870 a year. The full range runs from $39,980 at the 10th percentile to $93,860 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a layout workers, metal and plastic without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Mathematics3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Active Listening2.9/5
- Speaking2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics4.1/5
- Design3.8/5
- Mechanical3.5/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Engineering and Technology3.3/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Building and Construction3.3/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making.