Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter Salary
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters earn a median $51,330 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$51,330
$24.68 per hour
Range
$37,960 – $72,280
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
52,360
across the U.S.
▲2.9%
Pay trend: The median for structural metal fabricators and fitters in the U.S. rose from $49,900 (May 2024) to $51,330 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What structural metal fabricators and fitters do
Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products. Shipfitters are included in "Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic" (51-4192).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.2% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 4,800
Employment of structural metal fabricators and fitters is projected to shrink 6.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$43,424
per year · effective tax rate 15.4%
$3,619Monthly
$1,809Twice a month
$1,670Every 2 weeks
$20.88Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,980
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,182
- Medicare (1.45%)$744
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$43,424
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,960 | $18.25 | $32,681 |
| 25th percentile | $45,610 | $21.93 | $38,828 |
| Median (50th) | $51,330 | $24.68 | $43,424 |
| 75th percentile | $61,250 | $29.45 | $51,394 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,280 | $34.75 | $59,679 |
Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | $64,760 | +26.1% | $51,025 | $49,350 – $75,790 | 770 |
| Alaska | $63,420 | −1.2% | $53,138 | $51,020 – $81,190 | 70 |
| Oregon | $62,220 | +4.1% | $47,559 | $44,560 – $83,440 | 560 |
| Massachusetts | $62,040 | +1.3% | $49,147 | $47,430 – $85,260 | 690 |
| Washington | $61,850 | −2.3% | $51,876 | $47,240 – $85,800 | 1,050 |
| Indiana | $60,180 | +24.4% | $48,789 | $40,680 – $68,580 | 3,870 |
| Connecticut | $58,760 | −5.6% | $47,674 | $41,740 – $75,200 | 500 |
| Idaho | $58,140 | +13.2% | $46,922 | $36,330 – $81,990 | 320 |
| California | $57,590 | +2.0% | $46,200 | $45,140 – $76,110 | 3,420 |
| Wisconsin | $56,310 | +3.1% | $45,728 | $40,670 – $66,050 | 1,810 |
| Minnesota | $56,210 | +8.5% | $45,046 | $39,860 – $75,990 | 640 |
| New Jersey | $55,650 | −0.5% | $45,368 | $44,520 – $73,330 | 1,540 |
| Illinois | $55,380 | +12.4% | $44,081 | $36,960 – $72,480 | 1,910 |
| Kentucky | $55,250 | +4.8% | $44,757 | $44,360 – $63,020 | 450 |
| New York | $55,080 | +14.8% | $44,059 | $41,400 – $73,350 | 2,040 |
| North Dakota | $54,430 | +6.4% | $45,915 | $48,480 – $61,900 | 140 |
| Virginia | $53,940 | +4.5% | $43,233 | $43,510 – $79,870 | 1,220 |
| New Hampshire | $53,920 | +0.7% | $45,505 | $45,140 – $72,800 | 100 |
| Missouri | $53,610 | +5.4% | $43,673 | $38,810 – $67,180 | 550 |
| Ohio | $52,300 | +2.2% | $43,547 | $38,230 – $61,440 | 1,090 |
| Alabama | $52,220 | +7.2% | $41,793 | $38,180 – $66,820 | 2,130 |
| Wyoming | $51,740 | — | $43,753 | $31,200 – $95,760 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,640 | +2.4% | $42,087 | $41,870 – $67,860 | 1,690 |
| Iowa | $51,360 | +5.1% | $42,148 | $40,080 – $65,850 | 650 |
| Colorado | $51,120 | +5.3% | $41,714 | $45,930 – $63,770 | 330 |
| South Dakota | $50,800 | −3.2% | $42,998 | $33,280 – $61,530 | 180 |
| Tennessee | $50,460 | +5.3% | $42,725 | $38,760 – $64,350 | 2,260 |
| Oklahoma | $50,380 | +1.2% | $40,939 | $38,990 – $65,770 | 710 |
| Maryland | $50,110 | −1.4% | $40,427 | $37,310 – $74,500 | 620 |
| Georgia | $50,010 | +4.0% | $40,390 | $37,630 – $69,330 | 560 |
| Louisiana | $49,120 | +3.3% | $40,561 | $22,400 – $65,630 | 2,520 |
| North Carolina | $48,990 | +0.4% | $40,097 | $35,480 – $68,790 | 1,070 |
| Nebraska | $48,820 | +1.8% | $40,065 | $39,710 – $68,720 | 580 |
| New Mexico | $48,700 | +0.4% | $40,184 | $37,440 – $60,320 | 240 |
| Texas | $48,490 | −4.3% | $41,142 | $36,470 – $70,950 | 4,440 |
| Arizona | $48,150 | +3.3% | $39,874 | $39,430 – $60,970 | 940 |
| Utah | $48,130 | −4.6% | $39,653 | $35,780 – $70,270 | 780 |
| Michigan | $47,950 | −4.4% | $38,921 | $37,960 – $67,580 | 1,270 |
| Kansas | $47,840 | −1.6% | $38,750 | $38,280 – $60,830 | 620 |
| Delaware | $46,940 | +6.9% | $37,968 | $31,720 – $71,160 | 110 |
| South Carolina | $46,910 | −5.5% | $38,215 | $41,110 – $61,200 | 1,020 |
| Florida | $46,880 | −2.4% | $39,848 | $35,310 – $59,760 | 2,950 |
| West Virginia | $46,880 | +5.7% | $38,466 | $37,790 – $65,560 | 180 |
| Hawaii | $43,750 | — | $35,499 | $35,760 – $69,570 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $42,550 | −10.8% | $35,399 | $30,300 – $59,740 | 700 |
| Arkansas | $41,260 | −1.6% | $33,936 | $32,230 – $56,990 | 640 |
| Nevada | $39,570 | −14.8% | $33,974 | $31,680 – $85,240 | 150 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Other Machine Assembler | $53,710 | High school diploma or equivalent | -17.0% |
| Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.0% |
| Fiberglass Laminator and Fabricator | $46,880 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.6% |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.0% |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $44,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.1% |
| Timing Device Assembler and Adjuster | $62,620 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.1% |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $65,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $51,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.2% |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,610 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.7% |
| Pourers and Casters, Metal | $51,810 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a structural metal fabricator and fitter make?
The national median salary for structural metal fabricators and fitters is $51,330 a year ($24.68 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,960 and the top 10% earn over $72,280. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays structural metal fabricators and fitters the most?
Maine has the highest median pay at $64,760.
How many structural metal fabricators and fitters are there in the U.S.?
About 52,360 people work as structural metal fabricators and fitters nationwide.