What You Need to Know About Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter
Example of Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Job Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Responsibilities
- Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
- Align and fit parts according to specifications, using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars, and hammers.
- Heat-treat parts, using acetylene torches.
- Hammer, chip, and grind workpieces to cut, bend, and straighten metal.
- Install boilers, containers, and other structures.
- 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.
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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.
Related Job Titles
- Metal Box Maker
- Metal Fabricator
- Pneumatic Tool Operator
- Weld Technician
- Welder-Fabricator
Is There Going to be Demand for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters?
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. The BLS estimates 6,500 yearly job openings in this field.

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

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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
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
How to Become a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter
What education is needed to be a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?

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

Where Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Work

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

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:
- Solderers and Brazers
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Career changers with experience as a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
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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