Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Production
Drawings and blueprints set the material list and the order of work. Metal stock is laid out and checked with squares, rulers, and tapes, then formed on brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters, grinders, or drill presses. Parts are moved by hand or with hoists and cranes, clamped or braced in position, tack-welded, and then welded or riveted into complete units. Fit and dimensions are checked against the layout before the next step. Suits people who like reading drawings, moving parts by hand or crane, and getting joints to line up exactly.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$51'330
Median Wage Market Position
$51'330
What you might do
- Study blueprints to plan cuts and fits
- Cut and bend metal on shop machines
- Align structural pieces to match the layout
- Tack-weld fitted parts so they stay put
- Clamp and brace pieces before full welding
- Check finished work with squares and tapes
Skills that matter
- Reading structural drawings for layout
- Fitting and tack-welding metal members
- Confirming stock against drawing dimensions
- Sequencing cuts, fits, and welds
- Coordinating crane and hoist moves
- Pacing layout, fit, and weld work
AI & the future of this role
Cutting, aligning, and fitting structural metal on site or in shops still hinges on spatial judgment and physical fit-up that robots struggle to own. Digital layout tools may speed prep, but project-specific fabrication keeps prospects relatively strong.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details