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Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter

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What You Need to Know About Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter

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

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

  • Design and construct templates and fixtures, using hand tools.
  • Set up face blocks, jigs, and fixtures.
  • Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes.
  • Heat-treat parts, using acetylene torches.
  • Install boilers, containers, and other structures.
  • Smooth workpiece edges and fix taps, tubes, and valves.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?

Below is a list of the skills most Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters say are important on the job.

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.

Other Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Job Titles

  • Steel Fitter
  • Hand Former
  • Industrial Fabricator
  • Structural and Ornamental Metalwork Steel Fabricator
  • Steelworker

Job Opportunities 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. 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.

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

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

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 do I Become 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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What work experience do I need to become a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?

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Where do Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Work?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Similar Careers

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

Are you already one of the many Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

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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