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How to hire a fabricator/installer

Fabricator/installer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring fabricator/installers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a fabricator/installer is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new fabricator/installer to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a fabricator/installer, step by step

To hire a fabricator/installer, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a fabricator/installer, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step fabricator/installer hiring guide:

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

    Before you start hiring a fabricator/installer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A fabricator/installer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, fabricator/installers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    Here's a comparison of fabricator/installer salaries for various roles:

    Type of Fabricator/InstallerDescriptionHourly rate
    Fabricator/InstallerSheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets, such as ducts used in heating and air conditioning systems.$12-20
    Sheet Metal TechnicianA sheet metal technician is responsible for installing and fabricating thin metals sheets employed in distinguished styles and forms. Moreover, they are responsible for seaming, welding, bolting, and shaping materials... Show more$14-28
    Sheet Metal MechanicSheet metal mechanics, also called sheet metal workers, create and install sheet metal-based building parts. These workers assemble, disassemble, and repair sheet metal in different applications... Show more$14-28
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Aluminum
    • Hand Tools
    • MIG
    • CNC
    • Custom Cabinets
    • Laminate Countertops
    • Stainless Steel
    • HVAC
    • Install Signs
    • Polishers
    • Drill Press
    • Tape Measure
    • Customer Specifications
    Check all skills
    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.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your fabricator/installer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A fabricator/installer salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, fabricator/installers' average salary in arkansas is 49% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level fabricator/installers earn 40% less than senior-level fabricator/installers.
    • Certifications. A fabricator/installer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a fabricator/installer's salary.

    Average fabricator/installer salary

    $16.23hourly

    $33,758 yearly

    Entry-level fabricator/installer salary
    $26,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025
  4. Writing a fabricator/installer job description

    A fabricator/installer 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 fabricator/installer job description:

    Fabricator/installer job description example

    401k Plan

    Biweekly Paydays

    Do you have boundless energy? A passion for perfection? Are you looking for a fun place to work, with a company that believes in hiring character, building discipline, and empowering talent? If so, then we want to hear from you!

    bluemedia is an internationally recognized signage company with an award-winning track record in large format graphics, sports and events signage, fleet vehicle wraps, and structural fabrication. We’re always on the lookout for talented and creative leaders that are dedicated to growing both personally and professionally.

    IF WORKING ON THE SUPER BOWL, PRO BOWL, FORMULA 1 RACES, THE PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM, AND OTHER HIGH PROFILE PROJECTS SOUNDS LIKE FUN, YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

    Please read the information below and submit your resume today!

    Job Summary: With general instruction from the Supervisor, a Fabrication Installer confidently and effectively perform sign installations with awareness towards budget and problem solving. Adequate knowledge of construction and building processes including proper know-how relating to tools, materials and methods for the erection and repair of buildings is required. Must possess mechanical knowledge about the uses, designs, repair and effective maintenance of machines involved in the installation process, such as power and hand tools, light and heavy equipment, ladders and trailers. Fabrication knowledge and experience welding metals is required.

    Duties/Responsibilities:

    • Assemble and install products utilizing hand and power tools as well as experience operating heavy equipment.
    • Drives trucks to transport sign materials to installation sites and load and unload trucks with supplies and equipment.
    • Determine layout and installation procedures and measure and mark guidelines to be used for installations.
    • Reviews blueprints, identifies and prepares necessary materials and supplies for installations.
    • Follows all safety guidelines and regulations.
    • Ability to work at heights over 40’ safely.
    • Punctual and reliable attendance record.
    • Able to travel for extended periods on installations.
    • Ability to work overtime and weekends, when required.
    • Maintain professionalism at all times while on installations.

    Required Skills/Abilities:

    • Knowledge of the NEC section 600.
    • Strong work ethic and effective communication skills.
    • Computer literacy.
    • Ability to read a ruler.
    • Attention to detail.
    • Ability to work with very close tolerances.
    • Team player; ability to assist other team members in completing jobs.

    Education and Experience:

    • Welding Certification.
    • Valid CDL and drivers license.
    • Crane Certification or ability to pass certification class.
    • High school diploma or GED.

    Physical Requirements:

    • Physically able to perform all tasks related to installation and including: walking, prolonged standing; climbing of stairs, ladders and/or scaffolds; carrying loads up and down stairs; reaching and/or grasping; stooping, kneeling, bending, crawling and crouching; carrying, pushing and/or pulling; exposure to noisy or dusty conditions; exposure to chemicals and solvents; exposure to mechanical, electrical and/or other hazards, install signs, service signs.

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  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find fabricator/installers 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 fabricator/installer job on Zippia to find and recruit fabricator/installer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting fabricator/installers 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.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 fabricator/installer

    Once you've decided on a perfect fabricator/installer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    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 fabricator/installer. 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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How much does it cost to hire a fabricator/installer?

Recruiting fabricator/installers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $33,758 per year for a fabricator/installer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for fabricator/installers in the US typically range between $12 and $20 an hour.

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