Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
SOC: 51-2041 O*NET: 51-2041.00
Median Salary
$49,900
per year
Job Growth
📉 -16.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
What does a Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,370
10th percentile
Early Career
$44,290
25th percentile
Median
$49,900
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,810
75th percentile
Top Earners
$70,510
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,370
25th
$44,290
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,900
Mean: $52,740
75th
$59,810
90th
$70,510
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $33,140 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $44,290 and $59,810
- •Salary spread is 31.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 53,380 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:53,800
Top Industries
Manufacturing80.4%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing51.7%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only)44.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-16.3%
Annual Openings:4,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)53,800
Current
2034 (Projected)45,000
-16.3%
-8,800
Employment Change
-16.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 46 locations
Texas
6,220 jobs$50,6701.30x
Wisconsin
2,920 jobs$54,6402.89x
California
2,680 jobs$56,4600.43x
Pennsylvania
2,410 jobs$50,4501.16x
Tennessee
2,380 jobs$47,9102.10x
Alabama
2,150 jobs$48,7302.97x
Florida
2,150 jobs$48,0300.63x
Indiana
1,910 jobs$48,3901.73x
Louisiana
1,850 jobs$47,5702.80x
New York
1,800 jobs$47,9900.54x
Illinois
1,650 jobs$49,2500.79x
North Carolina
1,330 jobs$48,7800.79x
Michigan
1,230 jobs$50,1600.81x
Ohio
1,200 jobs$51,1900.63x
Washington
1,190 jobs$63,2800.97x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Speaking
80%
#3
Reading Comprehension
60%
#4
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Craft Artists80%
4 shared skills
Proofreaders and Copy Markers80%
4 shared skills
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers75%
3 shared skills
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators67%
4 shared skills
Meter Readers, Utilities67%
4 shared skills
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks67%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (18)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Tack-weld fitted parts together.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Align and fit parts according to specifications, using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars, and hammers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Locate and mark workpiece bending and cutting lines, allowing for stock thickness, machine and welding shrinkage, and other component specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Position or tighten braces, jacks, clamps, ropes, or bolt straps, or bolt parts in position for welding or riveting.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
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.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.46
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.13
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.92
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.89
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.80
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.66
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.1
Cooperation
3.9
Independence
3.9
Self-Control
3.8
Integrity
3.7
Stress Tolerance
3.6
Initiative
3.6
Innovation
3.6
Persistence
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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