Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Structural metal fabricators and fitters work in a relatively small occupation, with about 54,000 workers nationally. The role centers on precision work with metal structures and parts, drawing heavily on fine motor skills, mechanical abilities, and strong attention to detail. The national median annual salary is $49,900, with higher median pay available in certain states and metro areas. While national employment for this occupation is projected to decline by 16.3%, there are still an estimated 4,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing turnover and replacement needs. Opportunities vary by location, with some states and metros offering stronger combinations of pay, employment levels, and overall opportunity scores. People interested in hands-on, mechanically oriented work who possess physical strength and stamina, as well as comfort with mathematics, science, and communication, may find this a suitable path. Related options include other production roles such as packaging and filling machine operators, furnace and kiln operators, and various metal and plastic worker positions.
The national median annual salary for structural metal fabricators and fitters is $49,900. Pay varies meaningfully by state. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $51,120 in Colorado to $62,040 in Massachusetts. Washington and Massachusetts are near the top of this range, with Washington at $61,850 and Massachusetts at $62,040. California and New York sit somewhat lower within the high-opportunity group, at $57,590 and $55,080 respectively. At the metro level, several areas stand out for higher median salaries, including San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont at $65,500 and Boston–Cambridge–Newton at $64,350. New York–Newark–Jersey City offers $56,870, while Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim provides $56,990. These differences indicate that workers who are geographically flexible may find higher earning potential in select metros and states with stronger pay levels for this occupation.
Structural metal fabricators and fitters face a projected national employment decline of 16.3%. Despite this reduction, the occupation still has an estimated 4,000 annual openings. These openings indicate that, even in a shrinking field, there is continued demand due to factors such as turnover or replacement needs, though specific reasons are not detailed. With national employment at about 54,000, the occupation represents a modest-sized workforce. The consistent negative growth rate of -16.3% shown across the listed states and metro areas suggests that the downward trend is broad-based geographically. For job seekers, this means that while positions do exist, especially in certain higher-opportunity locations, competition may be influenced by the overall decline in employment levels. Individuals considering this career may want to pay particular attention to where opportunity scores are highest, as those locations combine current demand, pay, and employment conditions into a more favorable overall picture.
Location plays a significant role in opportunities for structural metal fabricators and fitters. Among states, California shows the highest employment (3,420) with a median salary of $57,590 and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also rank strongly, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $62,040 and $55,080, respectively. Washington and Colorado round out the top states by opportunity score, with Washington offering $61,850 and Colorado $51,120 in median pay. At the metro level, New York–Newark–Jersey City leads with an opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $56,870, and employment of 2,240, indicating a particularly strong cluster of opportunities. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont stands out for high median pay at $65,500. Boston–Cambridge–Newton and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria both combine solid salaries and opportunity scores, while Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim provides a sizable employment base (920) with a median salary of $56,990.
The typical education for structural metal fabricators and fitters is a high school diploma or equivalent. This means the field is accessible without a college degree, although success relies heavily on a well-developed skill set. Key skills include fine motor abilities, mechanical aptitude, and strong physical strength and stamina, all of which support the hands-on nature of the work. Being detail oriented is also central, as the occupation involves precise work with metal components. Mathematics and science skills contribute to understanding measurements, patterns, or technical concepts used on the job. Communication skills, including speaking and listening as well as writing and reading, are important for following instructions and working with others. Leadership and creativity and innovation round out the top skills, supporting the ability to guide tasks or suggest improvements. Individuals who build these abilities alongside a high school education can be better prepared for this occupation and related roles in production and metal and plastic work.
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