Occupation · SOC 51-2041
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
Median wage
$49,900
$37,370–$70,510
Projected growth
-16.4%
Declining
Annual openings
-880
per year
Employed (US)
53,380
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
224 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
MathematicsProduction and ProcessingMechanicalEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative 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.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.Align and fit parts according to specifications, using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars, and hammers.Hammer, chip, and grind workpieces to cut, bend, and straighten metal.Locate and mark workpiece bending and cutting lines, allowing for stock thickness, machine and welding shrinkage, and other component specifications.Remove high spots and cut bevels, using hand files, portable grinders, and cutting torches.Smooth workpiece edges and fix taps, tubes, and valves.Mark reference points onto floors or face blocks and transpose them to workpieces, using measuring devices, squares, chalk, and soapstone.Design and construct templates and fixtures, using hand tools.Direct welders to build up low spots or short pieces with weld.Heat-treat parts, using acetylene torches.Straighten warped or bent parts, using sledges, hand torches, straightening presses, or bulldozers.Erect ladders and scaffolding to fit together large assemblies.Preheat workpieces to make them malleable, using hand torches or furnaces.Install boilers, containers, and other structures.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Measuring tapes, squares, and rulers — apply to verify basic workpiece dimensions against written specifications under direct supervisor oversight on a fabrication shop floor.Engineering drawings and blueprints — read and interpret to identify material types and basic task sequences with guidance from a journeyman fabricator.Metal stock and workpieces — inspect visually and by measurement to confirm that raw materials meet job specifications before processing begins.Hand tools and clamps — use to position and secure small metal parts in preparation for fitting or tack welding under close supervision.Tack-weld joints — perform on pre-fitted, pre-positioned parts following step-by-step instructions in a supervised production environment.Jigs and fixtures — set up and load with pre-cut metal components following written work orders in a structured fabrication cell.Hoists and manual lifting techniques — apply to move light-to-moderate metal parts into position safely under direct direction on the shop floor.Braces, jacks, and bolt straps — position and tighten to hold parts in alignment for welding following demonstrated procedure under supervision.Basic fabricating machines such as grinders and drill presses — operate for single-step tasks following established safety protocols and operator checklists.Shop safety rules and personal protective equipment — follow consistently when handling metal stock and operating hand tools in a production shop setting.
developing
Workpiece conformance checks — conduct independently using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes to verify dimensional accuracy against engineering tolerances on routine production jobs.Blueprint and drawing details — interpret to determine full material requirements and multi-step task sequences without direct supervision on standard fabrication assignments.Metal components — position, align, fit, and weld into subunits following layout specifications and using jigs and welding torches with minimal oversight in a production shop.Flame cutters, shears, and brakes — set up and operate to cut, bend, and form metal components to specified dimensions for recurring job types.Tack-weld sequences — plan and execute on multiple fitted parts to maintain alignment and dimensional integrity during subassembly in a production environment.Overhead cranes and hoists — operate to move medium-weight structural metal parts accurately into position, observing rigging and load-limit guidelines.Clamping and bolting arrangements — select and apply appropriate braces and bolt-strap configurations to stabilize assemblies for full welding on standard structural jobs.Measurement discrepancies and fit-up problems — identify and report to engineering or supervision with clear descriptions during routine production runs.Spreadsheet and word processing software — use to record production data, material quantities, and inspection results for shop floor tracking purposes.Critical thinking about sequence and tolerances — apply to evaluate whether fabrication steps are in the correct order before committing parts to irreversible cuts or welds.
proficient
Full structural assemblies — fabricate autonomously from raw stock to finished unit by integrating blueprint reading, machine setup, fitting, and welding across complex, non-routine job orders.Engineering drawings with tight tolerances — analyze independently to resolve ambiguities, determine optimal material utilization, and sequence multi-operation fabrication plans.Fabricating machine parameters for brakes, rolls, and punches — calculate and set to achieve precise bends, forms, and holes on varied material gauges and alloy types.Non-standard fit-up and alignment challenges — diagnose and correct by adapting jig configurations, shimming, or adjusting clamping arrangements on difficult structural components.Weld quality and joint integrity — evaluate against drawing callouts and AWS standards, identifying defects and determining corrective action before final inspection.Crane, hoist, and rigging plans — develop and execute for heavy or awkward structural sections, ensuring load control and positioning accuracy throughout the lift.CAD software and ERP systems — utilize to retrieve job specifications, cross-check material inventory, and document production status across concurrent fabrication projects.Measurement and inspection results — compile and analyze to identify dimensional trends or recurring nonconformances, recommending process adjustments to supervision.Active listening and technical communication — apply when coordinating with welders, engineers, and quality inspectors to resolve fabrication issues efficiently on a busy shop floor.Mentoring newer fabricators — demonstrate proper measuring, fitting, and machine-operation techniques to apprentices during live production runs.
advanced
Fabrication workflow and work-cell layout — redesign to optimize throughput, reduce rework, and improve safety across an entire structural metal fabrication department.Complex blueprint packages and engineering change orders — review and approve for fabricability, flagging design conflicts and proposing cost-effective modifications before production release.Fabricating machine capacity and tooling programs — plan and manage across multiple machine types to schedule production, minimize downtime, and meet delivery commitments.Quality standards and inspection protocols — establish for the shop floor, integrating dimensional verification, weld inspection, and nonconformance tracking into daily operations.Apprentice and journeyman development programs — design and lead, using structured on-the-job tasks and competency checkpoints aligned to industry credential requirements.ERP and production-tracking systems — configure and oversee to ensure accurate material, labor, and schedule data flow from order intake through final inspection.Cross-functional coordination with engineering, procurement, and project management — lead to align fabrication capabilities with project timelines and material availability at an organizational level.Workplace safety culture — champion by authoring standard operating procedures, conducting hazard assessments, and modeling rigorous PPE and rigging discipline across all shifts.Continuous improvement initiatives — drive using production data and fabricator feedback to reduce scrap, rework hours, and cycle time on high-volume structural components.Organizational capability and technology investment — advise leadership on new fabricating equipment, automation options, and workforce training needs to sustain competitive production output.
Also known as
91 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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