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.
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4192 O*NET: 51-4192.00
Median Salary
$61,870
per year
Job Growth
📉 -5.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$40,430
10th percentile
Early Career
$51,810
25th percentile
Median
$61,870
50th percentile
Experienced
$76,980
75th percentile
Top Earners
$93,230
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$40,430
25th
$51,810
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$61,870
Mean: $65,770
75th
$76,980
90th
$93,230
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $52,800 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $51,810 and $76,980
- •Salary spread is 40.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 5,610 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,700
Top Industries
Manufacturing69%
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing48%
Ship and Boat Building31%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-5.4%
Annual Openings:500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,700
Current
2034 (Projected)5,400
-5.4%
-300
Employment Change
-5.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 17 locations
Virginia
790 jobs$72,7805.36x
Kansas
590 jobs$76,73011.27x
Washington
490 jobs$75,7503.78x
California
310 jobs$71,7800.48x
Michigan
290 jobs$58,2001.83x
Florida
170 jobs$62,8800.48x
Texas
170 jobs$49,2900.34x
Georgia
160 jobs$58,3900.88x
Wisconsin
150 jobs$58,8901.39x
Alabama
140 jobs$48,6201.89x
Massachusetts
110 jobs$62,8700.82x
Pennsylvania
100 jobs$59,4500.44x
Tennessee
80 jobs$45,5000.68x
South Carolina
80 jobs$38,8100.97x
New York
70 jobs$60,7400.21x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Mathematics
100%
#2
Quality Control Analysis
92%
#3
Monitoring
82%
#4
Operations Monitoring
74%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#6
Judgment and Decision Making
58%
#7
Reading Comprehension
48%
#8
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Mathematics
advanced5.0
100%
Quality Control Analysis
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.1
82%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.9
58%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.4
48%
Critical Thinking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Mathematics
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Print Binding and Finishing Workers78%
5 shared skills
Patternmakers, Wood70%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Inspectors64%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators64%
5 shared skills
Chemical Plant and System Operators64%
5 shared skills
Solar Photovoltaic Installers64%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Monitoring
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Mathematics
- ★Quality Control Analysis
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Planning & Development (3)
1
Fit and align fabricated parts to be welded or assembled.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Plan and develop layouts from blueprints and templates, applying knowledge of trigonometry, design, effects of heat, and properties of metals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Lay out and fabricate metal structural parts such as plates, bulkheads, and frames.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Mark curves, lines, holes, dimensions, and welding symbols onto workpieces, using scribes, soapstones, punches, and hand drills.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Compute layout dimensions, and determine and mark reference points on metal stock or workpieces for further processing, such as welding and assembly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Locate center lines and verify template positions, using measuring instruments such as gauge blocks, height gauges, and dial indicators.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Lift and position workpieces in relation to surface plates, manually or with hoists, and using parallel blocks and angle plates.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Plan locations and sequences of cutting, drilling, bending, rolling, punching, and welding operations, using compasses, protractors, dividers, and rules.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Inspect machined parts to verify conformance to specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Design and prepare templates of wood, paper, or metal.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.83
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.36
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.94
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.89
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.87
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.86
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Dependability
4.4
Independence
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Persistence
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.8
Integrity
3.7
Initiative
3.7
Innovation
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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