What does a fabrication operator do?
Fabrication operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real fabrication operator resumes:
- 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 operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Fabrication Operators are proficient in Tape Measure, Hand Tools, and Calipers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Fabrication Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Tape Measure, 12%
Examine work piece visually by touch or using tape measure, calipers, or gauges to ensure products meet desired standards.
- Hand Tools, 9%
Performed quality inspections using drawings and hand tools.
- Calipers, 7%
Use calipers, squares, protractors to measure angles and lengths of material to insure parts are made to blueprint.
- Grinders, 6%
Certified fork lift operator Daily tasks consist of cutting down and positioning rods, grinders and gantry.
- MIG, 5%
Offered Mechanical Engineering position - Passed in-house MIG welding evaluation for production quality welding.
- Customer Satisfaction, 4%
Work overtime if required to insure customer satisfaction.
Most fabrication operators use their skills in "tape measure," "hand tools," and "calipers" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential fabrication operator responsibilities here:
Mechanical skills. Another common skill required for fabrication operator responsibilities is "mechanical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of fabrication operators all the time, as "these workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work." An excerpt from a real fabrication operator resume shows how this skill is central to what a fabrication operator does: "experienced with various hand tools used for mechanical and receipt inspections"
Physical strength. Lastly, "physical strength" is an important element of what a fabrication operator does. Fabrication operator responsibilities require this skill because "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place." This resume example highlights how fabrication operator duties rely on this skill: "participated in iso 9000 activities, yearly physical inventory, and assisted with daily material distribution. "
The three companies that hire the most fabrication operators are:
- Westlake Plastics
10 fabrication operators jobs
- AGCO8 fabrication operators jobs
- Acuity Brands4 fabrication operators jobs
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Compare different fabrication operators
Fabrication operator vs. 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. They also interpret engineering blueprints and technical jargon. They are expected to verify accurate quantities of components and to check that the items are completed to ensure quality. They manage the inventory of parts and tools that are used in the process of assembly.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, fabrication operator responsibilities require skills like "tape measure," "calipers," "grinders," and "mig." Meanwhile a typical warehouse assembler has skills in areas such as "basic math," "pallets," "part numbers," and "pallet jack." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Warehouse assemblers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $31,847. In contrast, fabrication operators make the biggest average salary, $35,569, in the technology industry.The education levels that warehouse assemblers earn slightly differ from fabrication operators. In particular, warehouse assemblers are 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a fabrication operator. Additionally, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Fabrication operator vs. Furniture assembler
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, fabrication operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "calipers," "grinders," "mig," and "customer satisfaction." Meanwhile, a furniture assembler has duties that require skills in areas such as "office furniture," "delivery truck," "safety procedures," and "sales floor." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Furniture assemblers earn a lower average salary than fabrication operators. But furniture assemblers earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $34,228. Additionally, fabrication operators earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $35,569 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Furniture assemblers tend to reach similar levels of education than fabrication operators. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Fabrication operator vs. Box maker
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, fabrication operators are more likely to have skills like "tape measure," "hand tools," "calipers," and "grinders." But a box maker is more likely to have skills like "pallet jack," "safety procedures," "label boxes," and "production process."
Most box makers achieve a similar degree level compared to fabrication operators. For example, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Fabrication operator vs. Machine assembler
Types of fabrication operator
Updated January 8, 2025
