Layout workers, metal and plastic salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Mean (average) | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| 90th percentile | $93,860 | $45.12 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Layout workers, metal and plastic pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 20 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,590 | $29,100 | $60,930 | 190 | 2.34 |
| California | $74,490 | $59,770 | $87,360 | 480 | 0.68 |
| Florida | $58,170 | $40,340 | $80,260 | 200 | 0.53 |
| Georgia | $52,600 | $43,620 | $68,320 | 80 | 0.44 |
| Hawaii | $87,570 | $71,240 | $99,940 | 140 | 5.81 |
| Kansas | $79,240 | $44,560 | $96,310 | 610 | 11.11 |
| Maine | $74,530 | $54,180 | $88,300 | 180 | 7.32 |
| Massachusetts | $63,880 | $40,000 | $84,190 | 90 | 0.67 |
| Michigan | $61,550 | $39,670 | $79,040 | 160 | 0.97 |
| New Mexico | $38,560 | $35,470 | $44,850 | 60 | 1.82 |
| New York | $62,700 | $49,470 | $77,470 | 70 | 0.18 |
| Oregon | $75,020 | $63,440 | $87,370 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $59,350 | $48,460 | $76,730 | 150 | 0.65 |
| Puerto Rico | $25,170 | $23,220 | $26,070 | 110 | 3.16 |
| South Carolina | $41,650 | $30,070 | $64,200 | 40 | 0.45 |
| Tennessee | $43,250 | $40,660 | $80,570 | 40 | 0.29 |
| Texas | $48,220 | $34,410 | $66,250 | 190 | 0.35 |
| Virginia | $70,260 | $44,430 | $99,380 | 1,080 | 6.83 |
| Washington | $85,300 | $57,760 | $105,100 | 500 | 3.64 |
| Wisconsin | $60,810 | $50,520 | $71,170 | 150 | 1.35 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for layout workers, metal and plastic
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 500. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 2.2%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for layout workers, metal and plastic
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist CIP 48.0501
- Machine Shop Technology/Assistant CIP 48.0503
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
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 skills
- Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Hexagon Metrology PC-DMIS
- Inventory tracking software
- Optical Gaging Products Measure-X
Transferable skills for career changers: Complex Problem Solving, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Operation and Control.
Common job titles: Development Mechanic, Layout Fabricator, Layout Fitter, Layout Inspector, Layout Man, Layout Mechanic, Layout Technician (Layout Tech), Layout Worker.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do layout workers, metal and plastic make?
The national median annual wage for layout workers, metal and plastic was $63,870 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $39,980 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $93,860. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do layout workers, metal and plastic need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is layout workers, metal and plastic a growing career?
BLS projects employment of layout workers, metal and plastic to change -3.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 500 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay layout workers, metal and plastic the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Hawaii ($87,570), Washington ($85,300), Kansas ($79,240). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.