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Fabrication operator salary
Average fabrication operator salary
$15.28
Average Fabrication Operator Salary
The average fabrication operator salary in the United States is around $31,772 annually, equating to about $15 per hour. However, this figure can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, industry, and level of experience. For instance, fabrication operators in high-demand areas or specialized industries often earn more than their counterparts in other regions.
Top-Paying States for Fabrication Operators
According to recent data, states like California, New York, and Texas typically offer higher wages for fabrication operators. For example, in California, the average salary can reach up to $40,000 per year. Understanding these regional differences is essential for job seekers looking to maximize their earning potential.
Career Opportunities
As a fabrication operator, you can find employment in various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and engineering. Positions often require skills in operating machinery, reading blueprints, and quality control. Many employers offer training programs to enhance your skills and increase your earning potential over time.
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Where can a Fabrication Operator earn more?
Fabrication operator salary estimates from across the web
Average fabrication operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for fabrication operators are North Dakota, Alaska, and South Dakota. The lowest average fabrication operator salary states are Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for fabrication operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $41,299 | $19.86 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $39,265 | $18.88 |
| 3 | Iowa | $37,729 | $18.14 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $35,211 | $16.93 |
| 5 | South Dakota | $39,518 | $19.00 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $42,159 | $20.27 |
| 7 | Nevada | $36,679 | $17.63 |
| 8 | Washington | $38,004 | $18.27 |
| 9 | Michigan | $33,903 | $16.30 |
| 10 | Oregon | $36,522 | $17.56 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $33,942 | $16.32 |
| 12 | Utah | $33,492 | $16.10 |
| 13 | Nebraska | $33,252 | $15.99 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $34,314 | $16.50 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $36,065 | $17.34 |
| 16 | Mississippi | $32,191 | $15.48 |
| 17 | Vermont | $34,263 | $16.47 |
| 18 | Montana | $35,089 | $16.87 |
| 19 | Delaware | $34,891 | $16.77 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $31,262 | $15.03 |
| 21 | Alabama | $32,177 | $15.47 |
| 22 | Maine | $32,312 | $15.53 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $31,351 | $15.07 |
| 24 | Indiana | $30,689 | $14.75 |
| 25 | Louisiana | $33,565 | $16.14 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $32,360 | $15.56 |
| 27 | California | $33,650 | $16.18 |
| 28 | Illinois | $32,071 | $15.42 |
| 29 | Colorado | $33,781 | $16.24 |
| 30 | Kansas | $31,063 | $14.93 |
| 31 | Idaho | $32,232 | $15.50 |
| 32 | Ohio | $29,567 | $14.21 |
| 33 | Connecticut | $32,017 | $15.39 |
| 34 | Arizona | $31,701 | $15.24 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $31,160 | $14.98 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $29,499 | $14.18 |
| 37 | Missouri | $30,507 | $14.67 |
| 38 | New York | $32,293 | $15.53 |
| 39 | New Hampshire | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| 40 | District of Columbia | $29,577 | $14.22 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $30,423 | $14.63 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $29,375 | $14.12 |
| 43 | Maryland | $30,735 | $14.78 |
| 44 | Florida | $29,333 | $14.10 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $27,529 | $13.24 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $26,623 | $12.80 |
| 47 | Georgia | $27,295 | $13.12 |
| 48 | Texas | $28,702 | $13.80 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $28,834 | $13.86 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $26,716 | $12.84 |
| 51 | Virginia | $28,749 | $13.82 |
Highest paying cities for fabrication operators
The highest-paying cities for fabrication operators are Mankato, MN, Oshkosh, WI, and Holland, MI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mankato, MN | $38,672 | $18.59 |
| 2 | Oshkosh, WI | $35,718 | $17.17 |
| 3 | Holland, MI | $34,208 | $16.45 |
| 4 | Andover, MA | $34,035 | $16.36 |
| 5 | Garden Grove, CA | $32,956 | $15.84 |
| 6 | DeKalb, IL | $32,283 | $15.52 |
| 7 | Horsham, PA | $31,385 | $15.09 |
| 8 | East Providence, RI | $31,253 | $15.03 |
| 9 | Lafayette, IN | $30,805 | $14.81 |
| 10 | Lees Summit, MO | $30,665 | $14.74 |
| 11 | Orlando, FL | $29,385 | $14.13 |
| 12 | Weatherford, TX | $28,866 | $13.88 |
| 13 | Greensboro, NC | $27,644 | $13.29 |
| 14 | Lawrenceville, GA | $27,360 | $13.15 |
| 15 | Maryville, TN | $26,484 | $12.73 |
Fabrication operator salary details
A fabrication operator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a fabrication operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,772 | $2,648 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying fabrication operator jobs
The highest paying types of fabrication operators are lead fabricator, metal fabricator, and punch press operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse Assembler | $30,238 | $2,520 | $14.54 | 127,726 |
| Press Brake Operator | $36,359 | $3,030 | $17.48 | 57,264 |
| Assembly Operator | $31,928 | $2,661 | $15.35 | 87,293 |
| Metal Fabricator | $38,047 | $3,171 | $18.29 | 4,868 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Saw Operator | $32,319 | $2,693 | $15.54 | 58,465 |
Top companies hiring fabrication operators now:
Which companies pay fabrication operators the most?
Fabrication operator salaries at Sanmina and Clyde Companies are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average fabrication operator salary at companies like Oldcastle Infrastructure and Bellingham Marine are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanmina | $41,424 | $19.92 |
| 2 | Clyde Companies | $38,044 | $18.29 |
| 3 | Oldcastle Infrastructure | $37,486 | $18.02 |
| 4 | Bellingham Marine | $37,258 | $17.91 |
| 5 | Atkore International | $37,151 | $17.86 |
| 6 | University of Pennsylvania | $36,996 | $17.79 |
| 7 | Vicor | $36,566 | $17.58 |
| 8 | Arconic | $36,045 | $17.33 |
| 9 | Generac Holdings | $35,915 | $17.27 |
| 10 | Morton Buildings | $35,666 | $17.15 |
| 11 | The Next Level | $35,602 | $17.12 |
| 12 | Alamo Group | $35,557 | $17.09 |
| 13 | CMC Motocross | $35,298 | $16.97 |
| 14 | Oscar Winski Company & Lafayette Steel and Aluminum | $35,087 | $16.87 |
| 15 | Oshkosh | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| 16 | Dover | $33,489 | $16.10 |
| 17 | Volt Systems LLC | $33,144 | $15.93 |
| 18 | Reno, NV | $32,967 | $15.85 |
| 19 | Westlake Chemical | $32,781 | $15.76 |
| 20 | Acuity Brands | $32,620 | $15.68 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Fabrication operator salary trends
The average fabrication operator salary has risen by $6,052 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average fabrication operator earned $25,720 annually, but today, they earn $31,772 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for fabrication operators over the last decade.
Compare fabrication operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average fabrication operator salary over time
Compare fabrication operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Fabrication operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $31,800 | $15.28 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $30,600 | $14.72 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $29,800 | $14.34 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $28,900 | $13.91 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $28,100 | $13.51 | +3.3% |
Recently added fabrication operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signify | Fabrication Operator-Cooper Lighting Solutions | Americus, GA | 06/21/2025 | $31,889 |
| GKN | Fabrication Operator A-1St. Shift | Garden Grove, CA | 06/18/2025 | $41,364 |
| Oldcastle Buildingenvelope | Fabrication Operator | Alba, TX | 06/13/2025 | $35,166 |
| Hydro Extrusions | Fabrication Operator | Sidney, OH | 06/12/2025 | $41,740 |
| Southern States LLC | Fabrication Operator ND Shift | Hampton, GA | 06/11/2025 | $43,013 |
| Signify Holdings | Fabrication Operator-Cooper Lighting Solutions | Americus, GA | 06/04/2025 | $31,889 |
| Nvent Electric Plc | Fabrication Operator | Anoka, MN | 05/25/2025 | $30,888 |
| Msccn | Fabrication Operator-2Nd Shift | Fayetteville, NC | 05/22/2025 | $33,392 |
| Atkore | Fabrication Operator | Weatherford, TX | 05/20/2025 | $38,088 |
| Stand-By Personnel | Fabrication Operator | Tulsa, OK | 05/20/2025 | $33,392 |
Fabrication operator salary FAQs
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