Assemblers and Fabricators

How to become a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter

Official title: Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

Also called: Fabricator, Fitter, Layout Man, Metal Fabricator, Mill Beam Fitter, Ship Fitter, Small Parts Fabricator, Steel Fabricator, Structural Planner, Structural Steel Fitter

Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.

Main tasks

Verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes.
Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
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.
Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.
Tack-weld fitted parts together.
Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes.
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.
Position or tighten braces, jacks, clamps, ropes, or bolt straps, or bolt parts in position for welding or riveting.

How to become one

The education and qualifications typically needed to enter these occupations vary by industry and employer. Although a high school diploma is enough for most jobs, experience and training are needed for advanced assembly work.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Fabricator-Assembler Metal Prod.
Apprenticeship: Fitter I (Any Ind).
Apprenticeship: Metal Fabricator.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $51,330 a year The middle half earn $45,610 to $61,250.
About 52,300 people work in this job now, and about 49,000 are projected by 2035. (-6.2%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?

How much does a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $51,330 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $45,610 to $61,250.

Is a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 6% by 2035, from about 52,300 to about 49,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?

Usually not. Only 10% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Fabricator-Assembler Metal Prod.

Will AI change the work of a Structural Metal Fabricator or Fitter?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.