Prevailing Wage for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
Prevailing wage requirements for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4192) apply to every H-1B, E-3, and green card sponsorship in this occupation. Whether your employer calls the role a Layout Fabricator, Development Mechanic, or Layout Fitter, DOL sets four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts considerably depending on the worksite city.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers performing routine layout tasks under close supervision, with limited experience in reading technical drawings or operating precision measuring tools. Employers typically file here for recent graduates or candidates transitioning into metal and plastic fabrication work.
Level 2 applies to qualified workers who independently interpret blueprints and perform standard layout operations with minimal supervision. This is the most common filing level for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic, reflecting solid occupational experience and reliable accuracy on typical production workpieces.
Level 3 is for experienced layout professionals who handle complex or non-standard workpieces, mentor junior staff, and exercise independent judgment on dimensional tolerances. Employers file here when the role involves structural shapes, castings, or shipfitting tasks requiring advanced technical problem-solving.
Level 4 covers fully competent senior layout workers or lead fabricators who set shop standards, manage quality control on high-precision components, and may supervise a team. Employers filing at this level expect the worker to function as the primary technical authority for layout operations.
Prevailing Wage for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Verify your title maps to SOC 51-4192
Job postings for layout fabricators, development mechanics, and shipfitters sometimes get filed under adjacent SOC codes in metal fabrication. If your LCA lists a different SOC, the prevailing wage floor used may not match what DOL sets for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic.
Watch how Seattle and Houston diverge
The wage floor for this occupation varies more sharply by metro than many manufacturing roles. Seattle sits at the high end while Houston sits near the bottom, so accepting a lateral move between these markets can mean a significant gap in your required minimum compensation.
Exclude non-cash comp before comparing to the floor
Tool allowances, shift differentials, and safety bonuses common in fabrication shops generally cannot count toward prevailing wage compliance. Verify that the base salary alone clears the DOL floor before evaluating the full compensation package.
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Migrate Mate shows historical visa sponsorship counts by employer, so you can filter for companies that have actually sponsored layout worker or fabricator positions rather than approaching employers with no track record in this occupation.
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Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-4192.00 alongside Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Development Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Development Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Development Mechanic positions fall under SOC 51-4192.00 (Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Layout Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Layout Fabricator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Layout Fabricator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4192.00 (Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Layout Fitter Prevailing Wage
Layout Fitter Prevailing Wage
Layout Fitter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4192.00 (Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Layout Inspector Prevailing Wage
Layout Inspector Prevailing Wage
Layout Inspector positions fall under SOC 51-4192.00 (Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Layout Man Prevailing Wage
Layout Man Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Layout Man for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4192.00 (Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Layout Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Layout Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Layout Mechanic is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4192.00 (Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Layout Technician (Layout Tech) Prevailing Wage
Layout Technician (Layout Tech) Prevailing Wage
Layout Technician (Layout Tech) positions fall under SOC 51-4192.00 (Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Layout Worker Prevailing Wage
Layout Worker Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Layout Worker for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4192.00 (Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic?
DOL bases prevailing wages for SOC 51-4192 on the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OFLC maps those survey results to four experience levels and updates the figures periodically. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
DOL assigns Level 1 to entry-level workers under close supervision, Level 2 to qualified workers with independent task execution, Level 3 to experienced workers handling complex assignments, and Level 4 to fully competent senior or lead professionals. Your level should reflect your actual duties and supervisory scope, not just your years of experience. The employer selects the level when filing the LCA, so review it carefully.
Why does the prevailing wage for this occupation vary so much from city to city?
OFLC derives local prevailing wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which capture what employers in each metro actually pay for the occupation. The LCA must list the specific worksite address, and compliance is measured against the wage data for that location. Markets with concentrated aerospace or shipbuilding employers, such as Seattle, drive regional medians substantially higher than general manufacturing regions like Houston.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify the LCA if the offered wage falls below the DOL prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite. USCIS will deny an H-1B petition supported by a non-compliant LCA. For PERM-based green card cases, OFLC can audit or deny certification. The employer must either raise the offered wage to meet the floor or the sponsorship cannot proceed.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 51-4192 for any metro or county. Enter the occupation code and select the worksite area to see current Level 1 through Level 4 figures. You can also cross-reference the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage tables. For finding employers who have sponsored layout worker roles, Migrate Mate lets you filter by occupation and location to see sponsorship history.
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