Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 61%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 23% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 61% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 5,970 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $63,870 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 61% for contact with people.
- Also called: Development Mechanic, Layout Fabricator, Layout Fitter, Layout Inspector.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark curves, lines, holes, dimensions, and welding symbols onto workpieces, using scribes, soapstones, punches, and hand drills | 17% | 20% to 60% | |
| Fit and align fabricated parts to be welded or assembled | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Plan and develop layouts from blueprints and templates, applying knowledge of trigonometry, design, effects of heat, and properties of metals | 10% | 35% to 65% | |
| Lay out and fabricate metal structural parts such as plates, bulkheads, and frames | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Plan locations and sequences of cutting, drilling, bending, rolling, punching, and welding operations, using compasses, protractors, dividers, and rules | 9% | 40% to 75% | |
| Compute layout dimensions, and determine and mark reference points on metal stock or workpieces for further processing, such as welding and assembly | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Locate center lines and verify template positions, using measuring instruments such as gauge blocks, height gauges, and dial indicators | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Lift and position workpieces in relation to surface plates, manually or with hoists, and using parallel blocks and angle plates | 7% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills layout workers, metal and plastic use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Electricians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $63,190
- Carpenters56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,580
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $53,140
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $63,800
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of layout workers, metal and plastic?
Machines can do 23% of the tasks of layout workers, metal and plastic today and 61% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-4192.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/layout-workers-metal-and-plastic/