What is a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?
Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Definition Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
A Day in the Life of a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter
- Straighten warped or bent parts, using sledges, hand torches, straightening presses, or bulldozers.
- Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.
- Heat-treat parts, using acetylene torches.
- Smooth workpiece edges and fix taps, tubes, and valves.
- Align and fit parts according to specifications, using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars, and hammers.
- 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.
Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Needed 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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Ground Support Equipment Assembler
- Industrial Fabricator
- Motorcycle Maker
- Weld Fitter
- Tack Welder
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.
Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter ranges 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 |
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?
What work experience do I need to become a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Sector
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters work in the following industries:
Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter may also be interested in:
- Solderers and Brazers
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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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