Production
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Development Mechanic, Layout Fabricator, Layout Fitter, Layout Inspector
US median pay
$63,870
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-3.4%
declining
Openings a year (US)
500
6,200 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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 they do 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.
- 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.
- Design and prepare templates of wood, paper, or metal.
- Install doors, hatches, brackets, and clips.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
- Operations Monitoring3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Operation and Control2.9/5
- Coordination2.9/5
- Time Management2.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.8/5
Knowledge
- Mathematics4.1/5
- Design3.8/5
- Mechanical3.5/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Engineering and Technology3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma60%
- Some college15%
- Post-secondary certificate12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.