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Fabricator vs welder fitter

The differences between fabricators and welder fitters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a welder fitter has an average salary of $39,676, which is higher than the $34,922 average annual salary of a fabricator.

The top three skills for a fabricator include hand tools, basic math and calipers. The most important skills for a welder fitter are MIG, hand tools, and arc welding.

Fabricator vs welder fitter overview

FabricatorWelder Fitter
Yearly salary$34,922$39,676
Hourly rate$16.79$19.07
Growth rate-1%2%
Number of jobs7,7728,022
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4440
Years of experience-4

What does a fabricator do?

A fabricator specializes in manufacturing and assembling equipment or devices, ensuring every product's quality and efficiency. There are instances when a fabricator is required to make multiple gears, conduct verification processes on product schematics and specifications, perform quality control inspections, and test the product in different environments. Furthermore, a fabricator needs to coordinate with all workforce members to remain informed on any changes or updates in the production operations while adhering to the company's policies and safety standards.

What does a welder fitter do?

A Welder Fitter specializes in manipulating steel, aluminum, and other materials into various industries' structural forms. The majority of a welder's responsibilities are mostly manual work, which can have risks as they use torches or lasers for their daily tasks, and there are also instances when they have to climb high structures. Furthermore, a Welder Fitter must have keen attention to detail and communication skills as they must coordinate with fellow workers most of the time.

Fabricator vs welder fitter salary

Fabricators and welder fitters have different pay scales, as shown below.

FabricatorWelder Fitter
Average salary$34,922$39,676
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $44,000Between $28,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateNevadaMassachusetts
Best paying companyDanaherJefferson Lab
Best paying industryFinanceEnergy

Differences between fabricator and welder fitter education

There are a few differences between a fabricator and a welder fitter in terms of educational background:

FabricatorWelder Fitter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Fabricator vs welder fitter demographics

Here are the differences between fabricators' and welder fitters' demographics:

FabricatorWelder Fitter
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 89.8% Female, 10.2%Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.1% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage5%3%

Differences between fabricator and welder fitter duties and responsibilities

Fabricator example responsibilities.

  • Finish weld using SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW as required.
  • Gain experience in tig and arc welding, as well as cleaning welds.
  • Design, manufacture, and assemble plastic products through one of a number of methods such as molding and extrusion.
  • Operate equipment and power tools, including arc welding and gas welding equipment, grinders, sanders, lathes and saws.
  • Master the use of an array of tools including but not limit to power saws, grinders, polishers, etc.
  • Certify in SMAW, GMAW.
  • Show more

Welder fitter example responsibilities.

  • Manage and run production parts through the brake.
  • Align parts in relation to each other, using jacks, turnbuckles, clips, wedges, and mauls.
  • Align and fit according to specifications using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars and hammers.
  • Weld and fit per drawing: GTAW aluminum, stainless, steel, and copper-nickel pipe.
  • Fabricate parts and equipment using GTAW process on thin metals such as aluminum & other precious metals.
  • Manufacture mobile home frames using fixtures, heat beam for a perfect chamber while applying welding procedures of SMAW and GMAW.
  • Show more

Fabricator vs welder fitter skills

Common fabricator skills
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Calipers, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Tape Measure, 6%
  • CNC, 5%
Common welder fitter skills
  • MIG, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Arc Welding, 5%
  • GMAW, 5%
  • Aluminum, 5%
  • Stainless Steel, 5%

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