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The differences between sheet metal fabricators and sheet metal helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sheet metal fabricator has an average salary of $40,224, which is higher than the $29,727 average annual salary of a sheet metal helper.
The top three skills for a sheet metal fabricator include hand tools, math and HVAC. The most important skills for a sheet metal helper are hand tools, HVAC, and ladders.
| Sheet Metal Fabricator | Sheet Metal Helper | |
| Yearly salary | $40,224 | $29,727 |
| Hourly rate | $19.34 | $14.29 |
| Growth rate | -1% | -1% |
| Number of jobs | 4,036 | 16,044 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 61% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A sheet metal fabricator installs and fabricates thin metal sheets. They typically work with a team to carry out tasks such as trimming, buffing, smoothing, and grinding metal surfaces. They also read blueprints and select gauges of metal for projects. They must be proficient with hand and power tools.
A sheet metal helper fabricates and installs thin metal sheets. They use a wide range of systems to craft these sheets and to help workers install them. Typically, they work at construction sites, and they often use hand tools or power tools. They trim, buff, and grind sheet metals. They select suitable gauges of sheet metal for each job.
Sheet metal fabricators and sheet metal helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sheet Metal Fabricator | Sheet Metal Helper | |
| Average salary | $40,224 | $29,727 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $24,000 And $35,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fall River, MA | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Fortune Brands Home & Security | Comfort Systems USA |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a sheet metal fabricator and a sheet metal helper in terms of educational background:
| Sheet Metal Fabricator | Sheet Metal Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 61% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between sheet metal fabricators' and sheet metal helpers' demographics:
| Sheet Metal Fabricator | Sheet Metal Helper | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |