Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters earn a median salary of $51,330 per year, ranking in the top 63% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -6.2% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do structural metal fabricators and fitters earn?

The median annual wage for structural metal fabricators and fitters is $51,330. That puts structural metal fabricators and fitters at #524 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is structural metal fabricators and fitters a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for structural metal fabricators and fitters is -6.2%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 52K positions in 2024 to 49K in 2034, a net change of <1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do structural metal fabricators and fitters do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working structural metal fabricators and fitters, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Position or tighten braces, jacks, clamps, ropes, or bolt straps, or bolt parts in position for welding or riveting.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.
4. 4.Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
5. 5.Hammer, chip, and grind workpieces to cut, bend, and straighten metal.
6. 6.Remove high spots and cut bevels, using hand files, portable grinders, and cutting torches.
7. 7.Smooth workpiece edges and fix taps, tubes, and valves.
8. 8.Verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes.

Top skills for structural metal fabricators and fitters

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become structural metal fabricators and fitter?

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
  $50,690 median
• Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
  $50,620 median
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
  $50,270 median
• Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
  $50,140 median
• Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
  $50,060 median
• Patternmakers, Wood
  $49,630 median

Common questions parents ask about structural metal fabricators and fitters