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Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter

Life As a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter

Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Example Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.

What Do Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Locate and mark workpiece bending and cutting lines, allowing for stock thickness, machine and welding shrinkage, and other component specifications.
  • Smooth workpiece edges and fix taps, tubes, and valves.
  • 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.
  • Verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes.
  • Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
  • Heat-treat parts, using acetylene torches.

What a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Should Know

These are the skills Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters say are the most useful in their careers:

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 Jobs

  • Ground Support Equipment Assembler
  • Metal Fabricator Apprentice
  • Cage Maker, Machine
  • Metal Framer
  • Ornamental Metal Worker Apprentice

Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Employment Estimates

In the United States, there were 77,000 jobs for Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter. There will be an estimated 6,500 positions for Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter per 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.

What is the Average Salary of a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters make between $26,530 and $60,150 a year.

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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 different U.S. states?

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 & Technology do Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters:

  • 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 kind of Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter requirements are there?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter may also be interested in:

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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