How much does a layout worker make?
The median layout worker in the United States earns $61,870 per year, about $29.74 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all layout workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-4192.
Layout worker salary range
Pay for layout workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,430 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $93,230. The average (mean) wage of $65,770 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,430 | $19.44 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $51,810 | $24.91 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,870 | $29.74 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $76,980 | $37.01 | |
| 90th percentile | $93,230 | $44.82 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for layout workers, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4192), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Layout worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Layout workers earn the most in Maryland at $99,750 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $38,810. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $99,750 | N/A |
| Kansas | $76,730 | 590 |
| Washington | $75,750 | 490 |
| Virginia | $72,780 | 790 |
| California | $71,780 | 310 |
| Florida | $62,880 | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $62,870 | 110 |
| Indiana | $61,270 | 50 |
| New York | $60,740 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,450 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $58,890 | 150 |
| Georgia | $58,390 | 160 |
| Michigan | $58,200 | 290 |
| Texas | $49,290 | 170 |
| Alabama | $48,620 | 140 |
| Tennessee | $45,500 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $38,810 | 80 |
State median wages for layout workers, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4192), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for layout workers
The BLS projects employment of layout workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 6,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 500 openings a year for layout workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a layout worker
The typical entry-level education for layout workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a layout worker earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Maryland, $99,750) and the lowest (South Carolina, $38,810) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,610 people work as layout workers in the United States. At $61,870 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Layout worker salary FAQ
How much does a layout worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a layout worker is $29.74. The middle half of layout workers earn between $24.91 and $37.01 per hour.
What is the highest layout worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of layout workers earn more than $93,230 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a layout worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a layout worker is $61,870. The average (mean) wage of $65,770 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a layout worker a well paid job?
At $61,870 a year, a layout worker earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,610 people work as layout workers in the United States.
Which state pays layout workers the most?
Maryland has the highest median salary for layout workers at $99,750 a year. Kansas ($76,730) and Washington ($75,750) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a layout worker a good career?
Employment of layout workers is projected to shrink 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a layout worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for layout workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Production & Manufacturing salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.