Fabrication operator vs fabrication technician

The differences between fabrication operators and fabrication technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fabrication technician has an average salary of $35,582, which is higher than the $31,772 average annual salary of a fabrication operator.

The top three skills for a fabrication operator include tape measure, hand tools and calipers. The most important skills for a fabrication technician are hand tools, math, and customer service.

Fabrication operator vs fabrication technician overview

	Fabrication Operator	Fabrication Technician
Yearly salary	$31,772	$35,582
Hourly rate	$15.28	$17.11
Growth rate	-5%	14%
Number of jobs	56,825	109,734
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Associate Degree, 29%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Fabrication operator vs fabrication technician salary

Fabrication operators and fabrication technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Fabrication Operator	Fabrication Technician
Average salary	$31,772	$35,582
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Mankato, MN	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	North Dakota	North Dakota
Best paying company	Sanmina	Westinghouse Appliances Australia
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between fabrication operator and fabrication technician education

There are a few differences between a fabrication operator and a fabrication technician in terms of educational background:

	Fabrication Operator	Fabrication Technician
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	Associate Degree, 29%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Fabrication operator vs fabrication technician demographics

Here are the differences between fabrication operators' and fabrication technicians' demographics:

	Fabrication Operator	Fabrication Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%	Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 9.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between fabrication operator and fabrication technician duties and responsibilities

Fabrication operator example responsibilities.

Coordinate with engineers and supervisor for setting up Amada press brake, forming sheet metal chassis and parts for productions.
Operate any coil fabrication machine producing aluminum coils.
Monitor, control and operate computerized wafer equipment for the inspection, etching or alignment of integrate circuits.
Perform duties in accordance with GMP principles.
Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.

Fabrication technician example responsibilities.

Use of mig and tig welders, plasma cutter, chop see, band see and drill press.
Lift or move material and finish products using large over head cranes or hoists.
Weld with stick mig flux cor stainless rods.
Form, fabricate and assemble commercial HVAC duct work systems.
Train and operate several pieces of fab equipment, i.e.
Operate laser and turret machines to cut hoods for transformers.

Fabrication operator vs fabrication technician skills

Common fabrication operator skills

Tape Measure, 12%
Hand Tools, 9%
Calipers, 7%
Grinders, 6%
MIG, 5%
Customer Satisfaction, 4%

Common fabrication technician skills

Hand Tools, 10%
Math, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
CNC, 5%
Calipers, 5%
OSHA, 5%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Fabrication Operator
Fabrication Operator vs Fabrication Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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