What Do Metal and Plastic Layout Worker Do?
Position 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.
What Do Metal and Plastic Layout Workers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Lift and position workpieces in relation to surface plates, manually or with hoists, and using parallel blocks and angle plates.
- Mark curves, lines, holes, dimensions, and welding symbols onto workpieces, using scribes, soapstones, punches, and hand drills.
- Install doors, hatches, brackets, and clips.
- Apply pigment to layout surfaces, using paint brushes.
- Inspect machined parts to verify conformance to specifications.
- Plan and develop layouts from blueprints and templates, applying knowledge of trigonometry, design, effects of heat, and properties of metals.
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What a Metal & Plastic Layout Worker Should Know
Metal and Plastic Layout Workers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Other Metal & Plastic Layout Worker Job Titles
- Propeller Layout Worker
- Layout Fabricator
- Location and Measurement Technician
- Bellmaker
- Precision Layout Worker
Job Demand for Metal and Plastic Layout Workers
There were about 9,200 jobs for Metal and Plastic Layout Worker in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Layout Worker. The BLS estimates 900 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Metal & Plastic Layout Worker are Arizona, Utah, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, North Carolina, or Michigan. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Metal & Plastic Layout Worker
The typical yearly salary for Metal and Plastic Layout Workers is somewhere between $28,860 and $64,280.

Metal and Plastic Layout Workers who work in Michigan, Oregon, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Layout Workers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $30,730 |
Arizona | $43,280 |
California | $41,790 |
Florida | $43,380 |
Georgia | $40,250 |
Indiana | $49,300 |
Iowa | $48,660 |
Kentucky | $42,750 |
Louisiana | $55,070 |
Maryland | $44,760 |
Massachusetts | $50,300 |
Michigan | $58,030 |
Minnesota | $51,080 |
Missouri | $43,170 |
New Jersey | $36,400 |
New York | $46,130 |
North Carolina | $39,360 |
Ohio | $42,370 |
Oregon | $59,720 |
Pennsylvania | $49,780 |
Rhode Island | $56,640 |
Tennessee | $45,730 |
Texas | $41,920 |
Virginia | $49,210 |
Washington | $58,000 |
Wisconsin | $44,390 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Layout Workers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Layout Workers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Data entry software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Inventory tracking software
- Hexagon Metrology PC-DMIS
Becoming a Metal & Plastic Layout Worker
Education needed to be a Metal and Plastic Layout Worker:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Metal and Plastic Layout Workers Work

Below are examples of industries where Metal and Plastic Layout Workers work:

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Metal and Plastic Layout Worker might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Metal and Plastic Layout Worker sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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