Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products. Shipfitters are included in “Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic” (51-4192).
National median · BLS
$51,330
▲ +2.87%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$54,030
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
52,360
Jobs (BLS)
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Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.
Pay range for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$37,960
25th
$45,610
Median (50th)
$51,330
75th
$61,250
90th — top pay
$72,280
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
BLS projects employment of structural metal fabricators and fitters to decline 6.2% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 4,800 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
52,300 → 49,000
-3,200 jobs
Projected change
-6.2%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
4,800
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters salaries by state
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Active Listening3.0
Critical Thinking3.0
Reading Comprehension3.0
Speaking3.0
Monitoring2.9
Operations Monitoring2.9
Social Perceptiveness2.6
Time Management2.6
Coordination2.4
Judgment and Decision Making2.4
Top knowledge areas
Mathematics3.4
Production and Processing3.3
Mechanical3.3
English Language3.0
Administration and Management2.9
Education and Training2.8
Design2.8
Public Safety and Security2.7
Software and technology used
Microsoft OutlookMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WordComputer aided design and drafting CADD softwareDassault Systemes CATIATekla softwareThree-dimensional modeling software
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: 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.
About the job
What structural metal fabricators and fitters do
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.
Component FabricatorGround Support Equipment AssemblerHand FormerIndustrial FabricatorMachine Cage MakerMachine Shop FitterMetal Box MakerMetal Fabricator ApprenticeMetal FramerMetal Products AssemblerMetal Products FabricatorMotorcycle AssemblerMotorcycle FabricatorMotorcycle MakerOrnamental Metal WorkerOrnamental Metal Worker ApprenticePneumatic Tool Operator (Pneumatic Tool Op)Precision Structural Metal FitterProtector Plate AttacherSheet Metal MechanicSheet Metal Technician (Sheet Metal Tech)Ship Propeller FinisherSteel FitterSteelworkerStructural and Ornamental Metalwork Metal FabricatorStructural and Ornamental Metalwork Steel FabricatorStructural FabricatorStructural FitterStructural Metal FabricatorStructural Metal FitterStructural Steel FabricatorStructures MechanicWeld Fitter
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $51,330.
