How to hire a fabrication operator

How to hire a fabrication operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fabrication operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fabrication operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fabrication operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The fabrication operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect fabrication operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents fabrication operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Fabrication Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Fabrication Operator	Assemblers and fabricators assemble finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make engines, computers, aircraft, ships, boats, toys, electronic devices, control panels, and more.	$12-18
   Warehouse Assembler	A warehouse assembler takes on several responsibilities. They are responsible for preparing work that needs to be accomplished by studying and following assembly instructions to put together parts... Show more	$12-17
   Press Brake Operator	A press brake is a machine used to manipulate metal into various shapes and forms. Press brake operators manufacture tools, metal, and other pieces of equipment using a press brake to make punches, bends, and cuts into sheet or plate metal... Show more	$13-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Tape Measure
   • Hand Tools
   • Calipers
   • Grinders
   • MIG
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • ISO
   • Quality Standards
   • PPE
   • Punch Press
   • Laser
   • Aluminum
   • Spot Welding
   • Tig Welding

   Check all skills

   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.

   More fabrication operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the fabrication operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A fabrication operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a fabrication operator in Virginia may be lower than in North Dakota, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level fabrication operator. Additionally, a fabrication operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average fabrication operator salary

   $15.28hourly

   $31,772 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level fabrication operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average fabrication operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$38,672	$19
   2	Wisconsin	$35,718	$17
   3	Michigan	$34,208	$16
   4	Massachusetts	$34,035	$16
   5	California	$32,956	$16
   6	Illinois	$32,283	$16
   7	Pennsylvania	$31,385	$15
   8	Rhode Island	$31,253	$15
   9	Indiana	$30,805	$15
   10	Missouri	$30,665	$15
   11	Florida	$29,385	$14
   12	Texas	$28,866	$14
   13	North Carolina	$27,644	$13
   14	Georgia	$27,360	$13
   15	Tennessee	$26,484	$13

   Average fabrication operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Sanmina	$41,424	$19.92	31
   2	Clyde Companies	$38,044	$18.29	3
   3	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$37,486	$18.02	334
   4	Bellingham Marine	$37,258	$17.91	1
   5	Atkore International	$37,151	$17.86	19
   6	University of Pennsylvania	$36,996	$17.79
   7	Vicor	$36,566	$17.58
   8	Arconic	$36,045	$17.33	11
   9	Generac Holdings	$35,915	$17.27	4
   10	Morton Buildings	$35,666	$17.15	5
   11	The Next Level	$35,602	$17.12	6
   12	Alamo Group	$35,557	$17.09	11
   13	CMC Motocross	$35,298	$16.97	28
   14	Oscar Winski Company & Lafayette Steel and Aluminum	$35,087	$16.87	1
   15	Oshkosh	$34,950	$16.80	10
   16	Dover	$33,489	$16.10	19
   17	Volt Systems LLC	$33,144	$15.93
   18	Reno, NV	$32,967	$15.85	1
   19	Westlake Chemical	$32,781	$15.76	17
   20	Acuity Brands	$32,620	$15.68	3

4. Writing a fabrication operator job description

   A fabrication operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a fabrication operator job description:

   Fabrication operator job description example

   Morton Buildings, Inc. is the industry leader in post-frame construction. We have been in business for more than 110 years and have six manufacturing plants servicing 106 construction centers nationwide. Per year, across America, more than 3,500 new buildings sport the familiar Morton M.
   
   The Operator position is an active member of a production team that will assist in the manufacturing and/or assembly of building components to ensure daily production needs are being met.
   
   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   Responsibilities
   Learn and apply the Morton Building s safety and operating procedures, methods and standards to daily production Operates plant manufacturing equipment as required Read, interpret, and follow production work orders and/or engineering prints Work in a safe, fast-paced, and changing environment Utilize a powered lift-truck to move material to desired location Follow all safety rules, standard operating procedures, and maintenance instructions Ensure quality and/or shipping accuracy standards are being met
   Qualifications
   A minimum of 1 year experience working in a production, maintenance, manufacturing or related capacity is highly desired Prior experience operating a powered lift-truck preferred Self-motivated with a positive attitude and good work ethic Willing and able to continuously improve in job performance and development Active listening, learning, and reading comprehension skills Willing and able to take direction Willing and able to work in a physically demanding environment. This includes moderate to loud noise levels, occasional high climbing, indoor/outdoor exposure Able to lift up to 50 lbs regularly; up to 75 lbs occasionally Able to pass a basic math test Willing and able to pass a pre-placement drug test Reliable transportation to work every day Flexible to work year-round; regular overtime; off-hours as needed
   
   Benefits include:
   Starting hourly rate at $16.92 - 18.01 per hour (based on experience) with available overtime, monthly bonus, and room to advance Excellent medical/dental/prescription coverage Life Insurance Paid holidays Paid vacation Paid sick time 401K Opportunity ESOP Retirement Program which makes you an owner of the company
   Morton Buildings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. All candidates offered employment will be subject to a pre-placement test which does include a drug screen.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find fabrication operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fabrication operator job on Zippia to find and recruit fabrication operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting fabrication operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fabrication operator

   Once you've found the fabrication operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new fabrication operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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