What You Need to Know About Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter
Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Example Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
Life As a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter
- Align and fit parts according to specifications, using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars, and hammers.
- Install boilers, containers, and other structures.
- Heat-treat parts, using acetylene torches.
- Remove high spots and cut bevels, using hand files, portable grinders, and cutting torches.
- Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
- Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.
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What Every 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
- Protector Plate Attacher
- Structural Steel Fitter
- Ornamental Metal Worker
- Steelworker
- Ground Support Equipment Assembler
Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter Employment Estimates
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. There will be an estimated 6,500 positions for Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter per year.

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 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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters 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?

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

Where Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Are Employed

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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