Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other
Production
Metal or plastic parts and products are fabricated and assembled, then run through production machinery that also needs upkeep. Before a job starts, blueprints, diagrams, or work orders are read so the build matches the plan. Finished pieces are inspected against specifications; tools and equipment get routine maintenance, and safety rules are followed throughout. The setting is typically a shop or plant floor around machines, though the exact product and material vary. It suits people who like making physical products, following diagrams, and keeping equipment in working order.
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$45'950
Median Wage Market Position
$45'950
What you might do
- Build and assemble metal or plastic products
- Run the machines that form metal and plastic
- Inspect finished metal and plastic pieces for defects
- Read blueprints, diagrams, and work orders
- Follow shop safety rules around machines and materials
- Service the tools and machines you use
Skills that matter
- Fabricating metal and plastic parts
- Assembling parts into finished products
- Operating metal and plastic production machines
- Inspecting finished work against specifications
- Reading blueprints, diagrams, and work orders
- Maintaining tools and production equipment
AI & the future of this role
Specialized metal and plastic tasks vary widely, and many involve screen-based programming, inspection, or routinized machine work where automation can expand. Hands-on niches with oddball parts may persist, but broader demand looks thinner as software may absorb more steps.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details