Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
Also called: Fabricator · Fitter · Layout Man · Metal Fabricator · Mill Beam Fitter · Ship Fitter
Median pay (national)
$49,900
$37,370–$70,510 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
53,380
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-16.3%
~4,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for structural metal fabricators and fitters shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $70,510 versus $37,370 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $49,900 leaves roughly 41% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -16.3% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 4,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 47 states with released data, Alaska pays the most for this role (median $64,220, +29% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $25,650 — a 150% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Outlook as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Science
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes.
- Position, align, fit, and weld parts to form complete units or subunits, following blueprints and layout specifications, and using jigs, welding torches, and hand tools.
- Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.
- Tack-weld fitted parts together.
- Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes.
- Set up and operate fabricating machines, such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters, grinders, and drill presses, to bend, cut, form, punch, drill, or otherwise form and assemble metal components.
- Position or tighten braces, jacks, clamps, ropes, or bolt straps, or bolt parts in position for welding or riveting.
- Set up face blocks, jigs, and fixtures.
- Hammer, chip, and grind workpieces to cut, bend, and straighten metal.
- Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Outlook
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Tekla software
- Three-dimensional modeling software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Design
- Public Safety and Security