Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

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

Also called: Fabricator, Fitter, Layout Man, Metal Fabricator, Mill Beam Fitter, Ship Fitter, Small Parts Fabricator, Steel Fabricator, Structural Planner, Structural Steel Fitter, Component Fabricator, Ground Support Equipment Assembler, Hand Former, Industrial Fabricator, Machine Cage Maker, Machine Shop Fitter, Metal Box Maker, Metal Fabricator Apprentice, Metal Framer, Metal Products Assembler, Metal Products Fabricator, Motorcycle Assembler, Motorcycle Fabricator, Motorcycle Maker, Ornamental Metal Worker, Ornamental Metal Worker Apprentice, Pneumatic Tool Operator (Pneumatic Tool Op), Precision Structural Metal Fitter, Protector Plate Attacher, Sheet Metal Mechanic, Sheet Metal Technician (Sheet Metal Tech), Ship Propeller Finisher, Steel Fitter, Steelworker, Structural and Ornamental Metalwork Metal Fabricator, Structural and Ornamental Metalwork Steel Fabricator, Structural Fabricator, Structural Fitter, Structural Metal Fabricator, Structural Metal Fitter, Structural Steel Fabricator, Structures Mechanic, Weld Fitter

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Lift or move materials and finished products, using large cranes.
Set up face blocks, jigs, and fixtures.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Operations Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness
Time Management
Coordination
Operation and Control
Judgment and Decision Making
Writing

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (76.67% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

45,610–61,250 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-2041.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop die setup, press troubleshooting, tooling, and process-control experience; explore senior setup or team-lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (76.67% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters