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Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
Other titles employers use
Fabricator · Fitter · Layout Man · Metal Fabricator · Mill Beam Fitter · Ship Fitter · Small Parts Fabricator · Steel Fabricator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Visualization
- Manual Dexterity
- Control Precision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.4 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.3 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.6 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 95%
- A certificate or some college 3%
- A two-year degree 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Word processing software
- Computer aided design CAD software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 5,980
- Job openings each year
- 580
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −12.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 5,980 | 580 | −12.1% |
| Wisconsin | 2,900 | 280 | −10.8% |
| Illinois | 2,610 | 250 | −14.1% |
| California | 2,400 | 230 | −11.1% |
| Michigan | 2,170 | 200 | −19.9% |
| New York | 2,110 | 0 | −8.7% |
| Alabama | 2,090 | 210 | −5.0% |
| Florida | 1,990 | 200 | −8.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,970 | 190 | −15.1% |
| Washington | 1,870 | 200 | 3.3% |
| Missouri | 1,790 | 170 | −14.8% |
| Utah | 1,770 | 180 | 1.1% |
| Indiana | 1,720 | 170 | −12.7% |
| Oregon | 1,660 | 170 | −5.1% |
| North Carolina | 1,530 | 150 | −11.0% |
| Ohio | 1,380 | 130 | −14.8% |
| Virginia | 1,350 | 130 | −9.4% |
| Tennessee | 1,250 | 110 | −25.6% |
| Minnesota | 1,150 | 110 | −12.9% |
| Arkansas | 920 | 90 | −11.5% |
| Kansas | 870 | 80 | −13.0% |
| Iowa | 850 | 80 | −12.4% |
| Arizona | 770 | 80 | — |
| Colorado | 770 | 80 | −9.4% |
| South Carolina | 750 | 70 | −11.8% |
| Louisiana | 740 | 70 | −11.9% |
| Georgia | 730 | 70 | −3.9% |
| Maine | 670 | 60 | −19.3% |
| Mississippi | 640 | 60 | −12.3% |
| New Jersey | 640 | 60 | −7.2% |
| Oklahoma | 570 | 50 | −17.4% |
| Nebraska | 490 | 50 | −12.5% |
| Maryland | 440 | 40 | −17.0% |
| Connecticut | 400 | 40 | −14.9% |
| Nevada | 390 | 40 | −4.9% |
| Kentucky | 350 | 30 | −12.5% |
| New Hampshire | 350 | 30 | −12.5% |
| West Virginia | 310 | 30 | −13.9% |
| Massachusetts | 300 | 30 | −14.3% |
| Idaho | 280 | 30 | 3.7% |
| North Dakota | 240 | 20 | −7.7% |
| South Dakota | 180 | 20 | −10.0% |
| Delaware | 90 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| New Mexico | 60 | 10 | −14.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 40 | 0 | −20.0% |
| Wyoming | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
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Where to study
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