Salary guide, May 2025
Fitter / Layout Fitter pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the United States was $53,750 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,790 and $63,010.
Direct match · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Fitter / Layout Fitter is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,240 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 | $77,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.87 | $22.50 | $25.84 | $30.29 | $37.28 |
BLS estimated 416,210 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $54,590 | $47,870 to $62,630 | 3,510 | 0.46 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $49,930 | $46,670 to $60,310 | 2,520 | 0.65 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $50,200 | $45,940 to $59,630 | 2,020 | 0.53 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $56,940 | $47,190 to $60,980 | 1,090 | 0.55 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,680 | $52,790 to $75,930 | 5,780 | 0.23 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,680 | $52,790 to $75,930 | 5,780 | 0.23 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $51,630 | $46,180 to $62,670 | 10,620 | 0.98 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $52,650 | $46,270 to $61,750 | 9,320 | 0.77 |
Rank every metro for Fitter / Layout Fitter
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$99,570
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$99,570
- Chemical Manufacturing$76,240
- Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only)$76,240
- Dairy Product Manufacturing$72,840
- Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only)$68,800
- Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills$68,120
- Other Food Manufacturing$67,610
- Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing$67,540
- Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing$65,520
- Food Manufacturing$64,980
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$64,140
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing$63,360
- Animal Slaughtering and Processing$63,360
- Grain and Oilseed Milling$63,100
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 274,710 | $46,560 | $51,210 | $60,920 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 112,520 | $46,470 | $50,870 | $60,450 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 70,020 | $46,540 | $50,640 | $60,410 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 63,880 | $47,530 | $53,660 | $61,020 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 63,500 | $46,560 | $51,100 | $61,980 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 56,750 | $47,520 | $53,680 | $61,000 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 25,910 | $46,290 | $50,870 | $59,990 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 22,560 | $46,190 | $49,340 | $56,790 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 15,760 | $46,570 | $52,280 | $61,120 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 14,960 | $46,790 | $52,240 | $61,110 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 14,470 | $40,180 | $47,300 | $54,890 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 14,370 | $50,580 | $62,470 | $66,960 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 7,520 | $44,640 | $50,700 | $61,010 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 5,830 | $46,700 | $51,580 | $59,810 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 4,840 | $39,080 | $47,400 | $59,210 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 4,330 | $46,070 | $49,890 | $57,980 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 4,160 | $54,690 | $64,140 | $78,700 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 3,480 | $41,670 | $47,860 | $51,660 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 3,340 | $41,670 | $47,700 | $51,390 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 3,270 | $45,400 | $49,310 | $58,060 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 3,090 | $47,940 | $54,490 | $62,110 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 3,080 | $47,480 | $55,820 | $62,050 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 3,010 | $47,220 | $51,270 | $60,120 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 2,970 | $52,320 | $63,360 | $78,150 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 2,920 | $42,520 | $46,430 | $58,760 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 2,680 | $37,310 | $49,280 | $62,250 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 2,310 | $45,990 | $55,640 | $62,300 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 2,280 | $49,210 | $52,950 | $62,490 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 2,160 | $46,460 | $53,740 | $61,630 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 2,080 | $46,150 | $53,550 | $63,890 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 2,080 | $46,150 | $53,550 | $63,890 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 2,060 | $71,790 | $76,240 | $79,850 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 1,970 | $72,890 | $76,240 | $79,850 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 1,930 | $37,780 | $43,000 | $48,010 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 1,700 | $49,380 | $55,820 | $64,360 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 1,610 | $39,840 | $45,920 | $57,150 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 1,250 | $45,460 | $51,000 | $56,380 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 1,150 | $48,000 | $48,560 | $54,190 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 1,130 | $38,900 | $44,430 | $53,300 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 1,050 | $49,890 | $49,890 | $57,760 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 1,030 | $47,710 | $57,730 | $63,340 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 830 | $43,830 | $49,700 | $58,530 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 790 | $43,970 | $53,730 | $62,670 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 760 | $59,620 | $64,980 | $70,660 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 640 | $37,790 | $46,370 | $55,860 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 630 | $38,110 | $46,680 | $55,990 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 550 | $44,500 | $49,970 | $57,750 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 480 | $43,680 | $49,190 | $59,020 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 470 | $69,140 | $99,570 | $106,940 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 470 | $69,140 | $99,570 | $106,940 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 450 | $45,080 | $49,610 | $57,750 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 410 | $60,560 | $65,520 | $69,910 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 400 | $46,640 | $50,160 | $63,460 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 350 | $43,990 | $49,050 | $55,480 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 350 | $42,640 | $46,390 | $57,370 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 340 | $46,420 | $51,630 | $62,980 |
| 337900 | Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 140 | $47,680 | $49,230 | $57,200 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 130 | $47,690 | $68,120 | $85,580 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 130 | $37,840 | $42,320 | $45,960 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 120 | $37,050 | $38,490 | $46,430 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 90 | $59,860 | $63,360 | $69,070 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 70 | $52,760 | $63,100 | $72,030 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 70 | $50,160 | $68,800 | $71,520 |
| 321100 | Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 60 | $47,010 | $54,020 | $65,790 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 50 | $67,840 | $72,840 | $76,900 |
| 311700 | Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | 50 | $59,800 | $61,400 | $62,580 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 40 | $40,490 | $45,260 | $51,590 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 30 | $52,980 | $67,610 | $83,540 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 30 | $61,750 | $67,540 | $78,980 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Fitter / Layout Fitter, write the straight-time rate separately from shift coverage and extra hours. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $45,580 | $51,000 | $61,610 |
| May 2025 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
What should you know about supervisory and worker occupations?
BLS publishes these as separate occupations. Pay for one is not a pay step for the other.
- Supervisor occupation: Production Supervisor pay (SOC 51-1011)
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about the actual remit?
Write down who is accountable for layout and fit-up before welding or final assembly today. If responsibility for layout and fit-up before welding or final assembly is divided between several people, tell us where this hire's work begins and ends. That explanation helps separate their capability from a team's success at layout and fit-up before welding or final assembly.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Fitter / Layout Fitter?
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the United States was $53,750 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,790 and $63,010.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $39,240. 90% earned less than $77,530.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Fitter / Layout Fitter at a plant?
Fitter / Layout Fitter is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 416,210 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
Production Welder (MIG) pay TIG Welder pay Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel) pay Robotic Welding Technician pay Press Brake Operator pay Fitter / Layout Fitter pay ranked across all metros Open jobs Fitter / Layout Fitter recruiting Check an offer for this role
What does this data mean for your opening?
The Fitter or Layout Fitter position falls under the broader SOC 51-4121 classification for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. As of May 2025, the national median pay is $53,750, showing a $2,750 change since May 2024. These figures are broad snapshots of occupational data and do not include the specific compensation components of individual manufacturing firms.
BLS classifications do not differentiate between general welding and the specialized fit-up and layout tasks required for a Fitter role. Industry medians, such as $99,570 for Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing and $76,240 for Chemical Manufacturing, show high national averages but are not localized hiring metrics. When recruiting, hiring managers must look for specific layout knowledge, such as the ability to check for fit-up errors before permanent joining. Relying purely on the occupation's general median could underserve the requirement for these critical technical roles.
Comparative regional data is vital. The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro reports a median of $57,940 with a $24,990 middle-band width. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro reports a median of $51,630 with a $16,490 middle-band width. Both metros represent high-employment centers for this trade. While these regions have varying concentrations of labor, as shown by their location quotients, this does not dictate candidate availability or local wage floors. Ensure that the offer is specific to the specific dimensional accuracy and fit-up expertise your shop demands, using these benchmarks only as a general market indicator.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
What is the primary limitation of using SOC 51-4121 for a Fitter role?
The SOC 51-4121 category is extremely broad and includes all welding and cutting roles. It does not specifically account for the advanced dimensional and layout expertise required for a professional Fitter.
Why are Houston and Dallas chosen as comparison metros?
These two metros were selected because they have the highest published employment levels for this occupation, providing the most significant market context.
Should I match the industry median if I am in Chemical Manufacturing?
Industry medians are national averages for an entire sector. Use them to understand broad market trends but always base your offer on your specific facility needs and local market rates.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4