What Do Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Do

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic 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.

Salary
$50980
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth
Low

Personality


What they do

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic 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.

  • 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.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Layout Workers, Metal, and Plastic fit and align fabricated parts to be welded or assembled. They brace parts in position within hulls or ships for riveting or welding.

A typical day for a Layout Worker, Metal and Plastic will also include:

  • 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.
  • Plan and develop layouts from blueprints and templates, applying knowledge of trigonometry, design, effects of heat, and properties of metals.
  • Layout and fabricate metal structural parts such as plates, bulkheads, and frames.
  • Locate center lines and verify template positions, using measuring instruments such as gauge blocks, height gauges, and dial indicators.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic also design and prepare templates of wood, paper, or metal. They may also inspect machined parts to verify conformance to specifications.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic install doors, hatches, brackets, and clips. They might also add dimensional details to blueprints or drawings made by other workers.

In addition, they apply pigment to layout surfaces, using paintbrushes.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them locate center lines and verify template positions, using measuring instruments such as gauge blocks, height gauges, and dial indicators.

To some Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic, it is also their responsibility to compute layout dimensions and determine and mark reference points on metal stock or workpieces for further processing, such as welding and assembly.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work outdoors.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Salary is below average.

Demand for this career is declining.

How much do they make

Average salary

$50980 per year

Average hourly wage

$25 per hour

Entry-level Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $30,580 to $40,570 per year or $15 to $20 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $67,830 $33
Senior (Top 25%) $61,260 $29
Median $52,300 $25
Junior (Bottom 25%) $40,570 $20
No experience (Bottom 10%) $30,580 $15

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Building Equipment Contractors $68400 $32.89
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $60100 $28.90
Federal Executive Branch $57350 $27.57
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services $56720 $27.27
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing $56710 $27.26
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors $56290 $27.06
Ship and Boat Building $55660 $26.76
Electrical Equipment Manufacturing $52110 $25.05
Foundries $51680 $24.84
Employment Services $46320 $22.27

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Ship and Boat Building 2400 $55660 $26.76
Federal Executive Branch 1090 $57350 $27.57
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 920 $41470 $19.94
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing 600 $60100 $28.90
Machinery Manufacturing 340 $43610 $20.96
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 300 $56720 $27.27
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 290 $32290 $15.52
Plastics Product Manufacturing 210 $44610 $21.45
Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities 180 $35020 $16.84
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors 110 $56290 $27.06

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
38%

More than 40 hours
62%

Working schedule

81%

19%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
7%

Every day
22%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
2%

Every day
21%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
23%

Every day
71%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
70%

Once a year
8%

Once a month
0%

Once a week
14%

Every day
8%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
20%

Slightly competitive
17%

Moderately competitive
23%

Highly competitive
27%

Extremely competitive
14%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
69%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
2%

Every day
29%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
5%

Once a year or more
5%

Once a month or more
8%

Once a week or more
2%

Every day
80%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
47%

Once a year or more
26%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
12%

Every day
15%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
50%

Once a year or more
10%

Once a month or more
14%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
26%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
5%

High School Diploma or equivalent
60%

Post-Secondary Certificate
12%

Some College Courses
15%

Associate’s Degree or similar
9%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Machine Tool Technology/Machinist

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to plan, manufacture, assemble, test, and repair parts, mechanisms, machines, and structures in which materials are cast, formed, shaped, molded, heat treated, cut, twisted, pressed, fused, stamped or worked.

Machine Shop Technology/Assistant

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to fabricate and modify metal parts in support of other manufacturing, repair or design activities, or as an independent business.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
9%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
2%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
9%

1 to 2 years
55%

2 to 4 years
6%

4 to 6 years
18%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
8%

1 month
6%

1 to 3 months
13%

3 to 6 months
22%

6 months to 1 year
26%

1 to 2 years
18%

2 to 4 years
6%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
90%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
52%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
29%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
14%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
24%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
52%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
48%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
48%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
38%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
57%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
71%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
52%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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