Metal fitter vs machine fitter

The differences between metal fitters and machine fitters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a metal fitter, becoming a machine fitter takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a machine fitter has an average salary of $45,021, which is higher than the $41,170 average annual salary of a metal fitter.

Metal fitter vs machine fitter overview

	Metal Fitter	Machine Fitter
Yearly salary	$41,170	$45,021
Hourly rate	$19.79	$21.64
Growth rate	-6%	1%
Number of jobs	4,158	31,792
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	45	48
Years of experience	2	4

Metal fitter vs machine fitter salary

Metal fitters and machine fitters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Metal Fitter	Machine Fitter
Average salary	$41,170	$45,021
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $52,000	Between $32,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between metal fitter and machine fitter education

There are a few differences between a metal fitter and a machine fitter in terms of educational background:

	Metal Fitter	Machine Fitter
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Drafting And Design	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Metal fitter vs machine fitter demographics

Here are the differences between metal fitters' and machine fitters' demographics:

	Metal Fitter	Machine Fitter
Average age	45	48
Gender ratio	Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3%	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 1.3% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 5.6% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	5%	3%

Differences between metal fitter and machine fitter duties and responsibilities

Metal fitter example responsibilities.

Team invest to achieve goal; CNC programme and fabricate nacelle center beam splice.
Preform high-quality MIG welds with .035 hardwire, and .045 Flux-core.
Set up weld assemblies in jigs and fixture using assembly blueprints or production illustrations for the purpose of fabrication weld assemblies.
Construct an offsite fabrication shop for the manufacturing of ships' fiberglass parts and refrigeration components.
Provide remelting/metal crafting services, including aluminum, magnesium and zinc.
Perform tests to ensure the quality of the pipe and the piping systems.

Machine fitter example responsibilities.

Gather data and information on the weld-ability of aluminum alloys, and test welding equipment using various methods of aluminum welding technology
Checker and straightner, fit up of tubing and ducting.

Metal fitter vs machine fitter skills

Common metal fitter skills

Tig Welding, 24%
Jigs, 20%
MIG, 19%
Grinders, 16%
Spot Welding, 12%
Stainless Steel, 3%

Common machine fitter skills

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs