51 Series · SOC 51-4192

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$63,870
Median / year
$93,860
Top 10% earn
-5.4%
Growth '23–'33
5,970
US workers

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $63,870 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $63,870, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $39,980 (10th percentile) to $93,860 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 5,970 US workers. Hawaii pays the most ($87,570), since pay varies by state and metro area.

51 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $63,870, putting them above the typical US occupation and higher than 55% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #12 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 5.4% by 2033.

$63,870
Median annual wage
Top 45%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#12 of 105
in Production
2.3×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Hawaii at $87,570. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4192) pays a national median of $63,870 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $39,980 at the 10th percentile to $93,860 at the 90th, with a mean of $66,520 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 5,970 Americans work in this occupation across 20 reporting states and 16 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -5.4% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 500 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Hawaii pays the highest state median at $87,570, which is +37% above the national figure. The top metro is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $123,080 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 5,970 jobs Median $63,870/yr

Median Salary

$63,870

per year

Median Hourly

$30.71/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$66,520

average

Employment

5,970

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$63,870 Top 45% higher than 55% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). This entry sits in this band. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic sits on the slower-growing side at -5.4% growth and $63,870 median pay.

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic sits on the slower-growing side at -5.4% growth and $63,870 median pay. Scatter plot of 23 data points. $30000$40000$50000$60000$70000$80000 -15%-10%-5%0%5%10% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic sits on the slower-growing side at -5.4% growth and $63,870 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-5.4%

Declining

Annual Openings

500

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
B

Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

3.5/100K

Injury Rate

3.2/100

Danger Index

14.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Mathematics 3.1
Reading Comprehension 3.0
Critical Thinking 3.0
Monitoring 3.0
Complex Problem Solving 3.0
Operations Monitoring 3.0
Quality Control Analysis 3.0
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0
Active Listening 2.9
Speaking 2.9

Knowledge Areas

Mathematics 4.1
Design 3.8
Mechanical 3.5
Production and Processing 3.4
Engineering and Technology 3.3
English Language 3.3
Building and Construction 3.3
Administration and Management 3.3
Computers and Electronics 3.1
Education and Training 3.0

Key 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.
  • ▸ Install doors, hatches, brackets, and clips.
  • ▸ Compute layout dimensions, and determine and mark reference points on metal stock or workpieces for further processing, such as welding and assembly.
  • ▸ Brace parts in position within hulls or ships for riveting or welding.
  • ▸ Lift and position workpieces in relation to surface plates, manually or with hoists, and using parallel blocks and angle plates.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$39,980$50,910$63,870$79,470$93,860
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$19.22$24.48$30.71$38.21$45.12
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$39,980

25th Percentile

$50,910

Median

$63,870

75th Percentile

$79,470

90th Percentile

$93,860

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Hawaii $87,570 2. Washington $85,300 3. Kansas $79,240 4. Oregon $75,020 5. Maine $74,530

Lowest Paying States

16. Puerto Rico $25,170 17. Alabama $37,590 18. New Mexico $38,560 19. South Carolina $41,650 20. Tennessee $43,250
View all 20 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Hawaii $87,570 +37% above national
2 Washington $85,300 +34% above national
3 Kansas $79,240 +24% above national
4 Oregon $75,020 +17% above national
5 Maine $74,530 +17% above national
6 California $74,490 +17% above national
7 Virginia $70,260 +10% above national
8 Massachusetts $63,880 same as national
9 New York $62,700 2% below national
10 Michigan $61,550 4% below national
11 Wisconsin $60,810 5% below national
12 Pennsylvania $59,350 7% below national
13 Florida $58,170 9% below national
14 Georgia $52,600 18% below national
15 Texas $48,220 25% below national
16 Tennessee $43,250 32% below national
17 South Carolina $41,650 35% below national
18 New Mexico $38,560 40% below national
19 Alabama $37,590 41% below national
20 Puerto Rico $25,170 61% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $123,080 2. Urban Honolulu, HI $87,570 3. Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $79,890 4. Wichita, KS $79,240 5. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $75,020

Lowest Paying Metros

12. San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR $26,070 13. Birmingham, AL $29,120 14. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $43,550 15. South Georgia nonmetropolitan area $54,790 16. Pittsburgh, PA $57,010
View all 16 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $123,080 +93% above national
2 Urban Honolulu, HI $87,570 +37% above national
3 Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $79,890 +25% above national
4 Wichita, KS $79,240 +24% above national
5 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $75,020 +17% above national
6 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $74,490 +17% above national
7 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $69,010 +8% above national
8 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $67,540 +6% above national
9 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $67,490 +6% above national
10 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $64,010 same as national
11 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $61,870 3% below national
12 Pittsburgh, PA $57,010 11% below national
13 South Georgia nonmetropolitan area $54,790 14% below national
14 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $43,550 32% below national
15 Birmingham, AL $29,120 54% below national
16 San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR $26,070 59% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 51 (production) with comparable pay and career paths.

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

SOC 51-9191

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

SOC 51-2011

Bakers

SOC 51-3011

Butchers and Meat Cutters

SOC 51-3021

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

SOC 51-7011
Compare Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic make? ▼
The median annual salary for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic is $63,870 ($30.71/hour). The salary range spans from $39,980 at the 10th percentile to $93,860 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic the most? ▼
Hawaii pays the highest median salary for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic at $87,570/year, which is +37% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic? ▼
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 3.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.2 per 100 workers.
Is Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic a good career? ▼
Employment for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic is projected to decline 5.4% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 500 openings are projected each year.
How does Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic pay vary by state? ▼
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $87,570/year, while Tennessee pays the least at $43,250/year. BLS data covers 20 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $123,080/year. BLS reports wage data for 16 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $79,470/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Hawaii leads at $87,570/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.