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Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter

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What Do Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Do?

Job Description: Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.

Life As a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter: What Do They Do?

  • Lift or move materials and finished products, using large cranes.
  • Remove high spots and cut bevels, using hand files, portable grinders, and cutting torches.
  • 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.
  • Mark reference points onto floors or face blocks and transpose them to workpieces, using measuring devices, squares, chalk, and soapstone.
  • Preheat workpieces to make them malleable, using hand torches or furnaces.
  • Position or tighten braces, jacks, clamps, ropes, or bolt straps, or bolt parts in position for welding or riveting.

Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Skills

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Types of Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter

  • Structural Steel Fabricator
  • Motorcycle Fabricator
  • Motorcycle Maker
  • Metal Framer
  • Motorcycle Assembler

Job Outlook for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 77,000 jobs in the United States for Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,500 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter are Texas, Arizona, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Kansas, or Kentucky. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Salary

The typical yearly salary for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters is somewhere between $26,530 and $60,150.

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Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters who work in Alaska, New York, or Delaware, make the highest salaries.

How much do Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $40,360
Alaska $53,050
Arizona $37,430
Arkansas $36,280
California $40,270
Colorado $40,580
Connecticut $43,420
Delaware $45,580
Florida $38,070
Georgia $36,560
Hawaii $49,690
Idaho $35,380
Illinois $46,880
Indiana $37,400
Iowa $36,510
Kansas $53,910
Kentucky $35,320
Louisiana $44,110
Maine $40,440
Maryland $46,110
Massachusetts $45,630
Michigan $43,420
Minnesota $46,260
Mississippi $36,390
Missouri $37,730
Montana $40,760
Nebraska $36,210
Nevada $43,370
New Hampshire $45,210
New Jersey $48,600
New Mexico $35,060
New York $49,280
North Carolina $39,070
North Dakota $42,490
Ohio $37,350
Oklahoma $36,330
Oregon $44,250
Pennsylvania $41,510
South Carolina $38,630
South Dakota $36,150
Tennessee $37,050
Texas $41,620
Utah $41,270
Vermont $45,160
Virginia $42,090
Washington $45,000
West Virginia $37,780
Wisconsin $43,240
Wyoming $40,460

What Tools do Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Data entry software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD software

Becoming a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter

What education or degrees do I need to become a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?

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Where Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Work

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The table below shows the approximate number of Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters employed by various industries.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter might also be interested in the following careers:

Those who work as a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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