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Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic

$58.26K Median Salary 700 Job Openings (Annual Projection) -7.6% Job Growth

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About This Career

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.

Reported Job Titles

Development Mechanic, Layout Fabricator, Layout Fitter, Layout Inspector, Layout Man, Layout Mechanic, Layout Technician (Layout Tech), Layout Worker

Career data shown for:

Skills You'll Need

Click on skills to find related courses.

Abilities

Near Vision

Arm-Hand Steadiness

Visualization

Manual Dexterity

Problem Sensitivity

Information Ordering

Deductive Reasoning

Finger Dexterity

Flexibility of Closure

Mathematical Reasoning

Perceptual Speed

Selective Attention

Written Comprehension

Auditory Attention

Category Flexibility

Control Precision

Far Vision

Inductive Reasoning

Multilimb Coordination

Number Facility

Oral Comprehension

Oral Expression

Trunk Strength

Knowledge

Mathematics

Design

Mechanical

Production and Processing

Engineering and Technology

English Language

Administration and Management

Building and Construction

Computers and Electronics

Education and Training

Skills

Mathematics

Complex Problem Solving

Critical Thinking

Judgment and Decision Making

Monitoring

Operations Monitoring

Quality Control Analysis

Reading Comprehension

Technology Skills

Spreadsheet software

Presentation software

Procedure management software

Office suite software

Word processing software

Computer aided design CAD software

Inventory management software

Tools

Dial indicator or dial gauge

Micrometers

Hardness testers

Calipers

Hoists

Comparators

Scribers

Forklifts

Compasses

Height gauges

Punches or nail sets or drifts

Hand or push drill

Gauge block

Drafting divider

Gage block set

Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine

Power saws

Coordinate measuring machines CMM

Rulers

Protractors

Abilities

Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Finger Dexterity: The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Flexibility of Closure: The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Mathematical Reasoning: The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Auditory Attention: The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Category Flexibility: The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Far Vision: The ability to see details at a distance.
Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Number Facility: The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Trunk Strength: The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

Knowledge

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Skills

Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Technology Skills

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel
Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint
Procedure management software: Apache Airflow
Office suite software: Microsoft Office software
Word processing software: 3M Post-it App; Evernote; Google Docs; Microsoft Word
Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD; Autodesk Revit
Inventory management software: Assisi Software Assisi Inventory

Tools

Dial indicator or dial gauge: Dial indicators
Micrometers:
Hardness testers:
Calipers: Dial calipers; Digital calipers; Vernier calipers
Hoists: Hoisting equipment
Comparators: Optical comparators
Scribers: Scriber markers
Forklifts:
Compasses:
Height gauges:
Punches or nail sets or drifts: Mini punch sets
Hand or push drill: Hammer head borers; Hand drills
Gauge block: Gauge block sets
Drafting divider: Drafting dividers
Gage block set: Gage block sets
Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine: Underwater welding equipment
Power saws: Chain saws
Coordinate measuring machines CMM: Verisurf 3Dgage; Verisurf CMM Master
Rulers: Precision rulers; Steel rules
Protractors:

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