# Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

> Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/structural-metal-fabricators-and-fitters
- SOC code: 51-2041.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $51,330 (10th percentile $37,960, 90th percentile $72,280)
- Projected growth: Decline, -6.2%
- Openings a year: 4,800
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 27 |
| Artistic (A) | 12 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 2 |
| Conventional (C) | 49 |

## What you'd do

- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 79/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 78/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 76/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 76/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 73/100)
- Getting Information (importance 73/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 72/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 72/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 68/100)
- Training and Teaching Others (importance 68/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Time Management, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making

## Knowledge

Mathematics, Production and Processing, Mechanical, English Language, Administration and Management, Education and Training, Design, Public Safety and Security, Customer and Personal Service, Engineering and Technology

## Also called

Component Fabricator, Fabricator, Fitter, Ground Support Equipment Assembler, Hand Former, Industrial Fabricator, Layout Man, Machine Cage Maker, Machine Shop Fitter, Metal Box Maker

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Precision Metal Working](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4805) (CIP 4805, 746 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Ferris State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ferris-state-university-949) | Precision Metal Working | not reported | $86,941 | $12,000 |
| [Del Mar College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/del-mar-college-782) | Precision Metal Working | $41,304 | $79,303 | not reported |
| [Hennepin Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/hennepin-technical-college-1182) | Precision Metal Working | $68,632 | $76,020 | $11,033 |
| [Des Moines Area Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/des-moines-area-community-college-797) | Precision Metal Working | $65,355 | $75,145 | not reported |
| [Ivy Tech Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ivy-tech-community-college-1314) | Precision Metal Working | $69,427 | $75,002 | $5,900 |
| [Dunwoody College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dunwoody-college-of-technology-838) | Precision Metal Working | $60,388 | $70,886 | $12,000 |
| [Pennsylvania College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pennsylvania-college-of-technology-2096) | Precision Metal Working | $63,054 | $70,298 | $19,500 |
| [Austin Community College District](https://www.collegesref.com/college/austin-community-college-district-152) | Precision Metal Working | $46,036 | $69,185 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers): $65,380 median pay
- [Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/layout-workers-metal-and-plastic): $63,870 median pay
- [Sheet Metal Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sheet-metal-workers): $61,800 median pay
- [Structural Iron and Steel Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/structural-iron-and-steel-workers): $62,780 median pay
- [Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/welding-soldering-and-brazing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $47,920 median pay
- [Tool and Die Makers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tool-and-die-makers): $64,050 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.