Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters earn a median of $51,330 per year ($24.68/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 6.2% through 2035, with about 4,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-2041
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter in four numbers
- Median pay
- $51,330a year, or $24.68/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $38KTop 10% $72K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -6.2%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−6.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −6.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,80052,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202552.3K
- Projected 203549K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 52.3K Projected 2035 49K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school18%
- High school76.7%
- Certificate3%
- Associate's2.3%
Highest education held by structural metal fabricators and fitters Segment Value Less than high school 18% High school 76.7% Certificate 3% Associate's 2.3%
Also advertised as: Fabricator, Fitter, Layout Man, Metal Fabricator, Mill Beam Fitter, Ship Fitter.
Pay
How much do Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters make?
Every structural metal fabricator and fitter in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$51,330
Middle half earn $45,610 to $61,250
- 10th
- $37,960
- 25th
- $45,610
- 75th
- $61,250
- 90th
- $72,280
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,960 |
| 25th | $45,610 |
| Median | $51,330 |
| 75th | $61,250 |
| 90th | $72,280 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $51,330
- Median hourly wage
- $24.68/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $54,030
- People employed
- 52,360
Versus all US occupations
At $51,330, the median for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 7% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $72,280 or more while the bottom 10% earn $37,960, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 24% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Maine pays the most at $64,760, and still leads at $66,728 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Maine | $64,760 | $66,728 | 770 |
| 2Alaska | $63,420 | $61,958 | 70 |
| 3Oregon | $62,220 | $60,197 | 560 |
| 4Massachusetts | $62,040 | $58,663 | 690 |
| 5Washington | $61,850 | $57,797 | 1,050 |
| 6Indiana | $60,180 | $64,482 | 3,870 |
| 7Connecticut | $58,760 | $56,713 | 500 |
| 8Idaho | $58,140 | $60,883 | 320 |
| 9California | $57,590 | $52,014 | 3,420 |
| 10Wisconsin | $56,310 | $59,844 | 1,810 |
Job outlook
Is Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -6.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | −6.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters to change -6.2% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 3,200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,800 openings are projected each year, 9.2% of the 52,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of assemblers and fabricators is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 177,500 openings for assemblers and fabricators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of assemblers and fabricators varies by occupation (see table).
Getting in
How to become a Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter
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.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as structural metal fabricators and fitters.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)76.7%
- Less than a High School Diploma18%
- Post-Secondary Certificate3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 76.7% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 18% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 2.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter do?
Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
Assemblers and fabricators build finished products and the parts that go into them. They use handtools and machines to make vehicles, toys, electronic devices, and more.
Day-to-day 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.
- Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes.
- 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.
- Lift or move materials and finished products, using large cranes.
- Hammer, chip, and grind workpieces to cut, bend, and straighten metal.
- Set up face blocks, jigs, and fixtures.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most assemblers and fabricators work full time. Some assemblers and fabricators work in shifts, which may require evening, weekend, and night work.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Monitoring2.9
- Writing2.3
- Active Learning2.3
- Mathematics2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.3 |
| Active Learning | 2.3 |
| Mathematics | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.6
- Time Management2.6
- Coordination2.4
- Operation and Control2.4
- Judgment and Decision Making2.4
- Instructing2.3
- Quality Control Analysis2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.6 |
| Time Management | 2.6 |
| Coordination | 2.4 |
| Operation and Control | 2.4 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.4 |
| Instructing | 2.3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.9
- Investigative2.6
- Artistic1.7
- Enterprising1.1
- Social1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Aircraft Structure, Surface, Rigging, and Systems Assembler
$65,380median a year
Most earn $47K to $108K
−5.6%High school - Production
- Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Production
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$47,920median a year
Most earn $37K to $67K
−8.9%High school - Production
More production careers
Median annual pay, with structural metal fabricators and fitters highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$60,020
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $60,020 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter appears on
Questions
Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter: frequently asked questions
How much do Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters make?
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters earn a median of $51,330 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), close to the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $24.68/hr. The middle half earn between $45,610 and $61,250. The top 10% earn $72,280 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 76.7% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 6.2% over 2025–2035, a loss of 3,200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter do?
Assemblers and fabricators build finished products and the parts that go into them. A core O*NET task: verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters the most?
The highest state medians for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters are Maine ($64,760), Alaska ($63,420), Oregon ($62,220) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter?
O*NET scores Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.