Post job

Fabricator/installer vs sheet metal operator

The differences between fabricator/installers and sheet metal operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sheet metal operator has an average salary of $45,015, which is higher than the $33,758 average annual salary of a fabricator/installer.

The top three skills for a fabricator/installer include customer service, aluminum and hand tools. The most important skills for a sheet metal operator are CNC, punch press, and spot welding.

Fabricator/installer vs sheet metal operator overview

Fabricator/InstallerSheet Metal Operator
Yearly salary$33,758$45,015
Hourly rate$16.23$21.64
Growth rate-1%-1%
Number of jobs16,64243,197
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 51%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Fabricator/installer vs sheet metal operator salary

Fabricator/installers and sheet metal operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fabricator/InstallerSheet Metal Operator
Average salary$33,758$45,015
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $43,000Between $32,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between fabricator/installer and sheet metal operator education

There are a few differences between a fabricator/installer and a sheet metal operator in terms of educational background:

Fabricator/InstallerSheet Metal Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Fabricator/installer vs sheet metal operator demographics

Here are the differences between fabricator/installers' and sheet metal operators' demographics:

Fabricator/InstallerSheet Metal Operator
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 96.3% Female, 3.7%Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 2.7% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between fabricator/installer and sheet metal operator duties and responsibilities

Fabricator/installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Fabricate and install HVAC equipment for new construction / retrofit existing for residential and commercial buildings.
  • Follow detail drawings in building fan assemblies, using MIG welding or Huckriveting.
  • Pull low voltage wiring for thermostat, zone systems, and other HVAC controls.
  • Fabricate all new components and weld them onto the new frames using GMAW process.
  • Work with different granite stone; cutting, polishing and getting it ready for kitchen and bathrooms.
  • Show more

Sheet metal operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage large-scale industrial and commercial HVAC installation and service projects.
  • Create & run complex bend setup & forming operations.
  • Measure and then run sheets of metal into a machine that cut it into the exact measurement.
  • Perform fabrication and installation of copper and aluminum gutters for large-scale buildings.
  • Fire caulking, trim returns to fit above ceiling, install exhaust for bathrooms in each apartment.

Fabricator/installer vs sheet metal operator skills

Common fabricator/installer skills
  • Customer Service, 29%
  • Aluminum, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • MIG, 5%
  • CNC, 5%
  • Custom Cabinets, 4%
Common sheet metal operator skills
  • CNC, 25%
  • Punch Press, 14%
  • Spot Welding, 13%
  • MIG, 8%
  • Stamping Presses, 6%
  • Stainless Steel, 6%

Browse construction and extraction jobs