Lead fabricator vs fabrication operator

The differences between lead fabricators and fabrication operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead fabricator has an average salary of $44,415, which is higher than the $31,772 average annual salary of a fabrication operator.

The top three skills for a lead fabricator include customer service, lean manufacturing and safety procedures. The most important skills for a fabrication operator are tape measure, hand tools, and calipers.

Lead fabricator vs fabrication operator overview

	Lead Fabricator	Fabrication Operator
Yearly salary	$44,415	$31,772
Hourly rate	$21.35	$15.28
Growth rate	-1%	-5%
Number of jobs	3,209	56,825
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 28%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Lead fabricator vs fabrication operator salary

Lead fabricators and fabrication operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Lead Fabricator	Fabrication Operator
Average salary	$44,415	$31,772
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $72,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Mankato, MN
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	Sanmina
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between lead fabricator and fabrication operator education

There are a few differences between a lead fabricator and a fabrication operator in terms of educational background:

	Lead Fabricator	Fabrication Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 28%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Lead fabricator vs fabrication operator demographics

Here are the differences between lead fabricators' and fabrication operators' demographics:

	Lead Fabricator	Fabrication Operator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2%	Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 9.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between lead fabricator and fabrication operator duties and responsibilities

Lead fabricator example responsibilities.

Weld TIG & GMAW stainless certify.
Quoted jobs, weld TIG, MIG, aluminum and steel.
Fabricate jigs and fixtures for accurate production of parts.
Follow all safety policies and ensure PPE are used.
Develop jigs, dies, fixtures, gauges and other tooling to meet specifications set out by customers.
Glass glazing/commercial aluminum window panel fabrication

Fabrication operator example 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.

Lead fabricator vs fabrication operator skills

Common lead fabricator skills

Customer Service, 11%
Lean Manufacturing, 7%
Safety Procedures, 7%
Sigma, 6%
CNC Plasma, 4%
Shop Equipment, 4%

Common fabrication operator skills

Tape Measure, 12%
Hand Tools, 9%
Calipers, 7%
Grinders, 6%
MIG, 5%
Customer Satisfaction, 4%