Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
SOC code 51-2041 · O*NET-SOC 51-2041.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$51,330
a year
Hourly
$24.68
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$54,030
$25.98 per hour
Middle 50%
$45,610 – $61,250
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,960 – $72,280
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
52,360
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,960
- $18.25/hr
- 25th percentile
- $45,610
- $21.93/hr
- Median percentile
- $51,330
- $24.68/hr
- 75th percentile
- $61,250
- $29.45/hr
- 90th percentile
- $72,280
- $34.75/hr
What do structural metal fabricators and fitters do?
Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Mark reference points onto floors or face blocks and transpose them to workpieces, using measuring devices, squares, chalk, and soapstone.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 77% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)77%
- Less than a High School Diploma18%
- Post-Secondary Certificate3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2%
Common questions
How much does a structural metal fabricators and fitters earn?
The national median is $51,330 a year. The full range runs from $37,960 at the 10th percentile to $72,280 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a structural metal fabricators and fitters without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Monitoring2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Production and Processing3.3/5
- Mechanical3.3/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Education and Training2.8/5
- Design2.8/5
- Public Safety and Security2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Time Management.