What does a sheet metal fabricator do?
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.
Sheet metal fabricator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real sheet metal fabricator resumes:
- Manage large-scale industrial and commercial HVAC installation and service projects.
- Weld and fabricate projects of stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum using MIG welding or TIG welding.
- Perform pattern layout, construct fabricate materials by MIG welding, TIG welding, or standard pop rivets.
- Input data into a CNC plasma machine and cut duct work.
- Assist with the installation and operation of control systems and plumbing assemblies.
- Ensure that all company and OSHA safety guidelines are met or exceed on job site.
- Work on ladders, roofs, and in various weather conditions to perform duct installation.
- Perform the layout and fabrication of HVAC fittings and gathering of additional materials and fittings to complete installation.
- Perform machining techniques using vertical mills, lathes and surface grinders to manufacture jigs, fixtures and tooling.
- Install job specific tooling, program steps to meet blue print requirements, ISO paperwork, inspection reporting.
- Install and braze rigid refrigerant lines fittings at condensers on roof to coils inside, leak check with nitrogen.
- Perform composite repair of aerospace fiberglass products.
- Hang install and fabricate sheetmetal and industrial ac sysytems
- Manufacture aluminum advertising signs using CNC and manual fabrication tools.
- Perform fabrication and installation of copper and aluminum gutters for large-scale buildings.
Sheet metal fabricator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Sheet Metal Fabricators are proficient in Hand Tools, Math, and HVAC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Sheet Metal Fabricators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 19%
Skilled in using various types of hand tools and hand-held power tools, precision measuring tools, and floor-mounted power tools.
- Math, 7%
Utilize math skills to make calculations related to machining, fabrication and/or assembly operations.
- HVAC, 6%
Performed the layout and fabrication of HVAC fittings and gathering of additional materials and fittings to complete installation.
- MIG, 5%
Fabricated various components using multiple weld processes (MIG and TIG) and other shop equipment.
- Punch Press, 5%
Operated drill presses, punch presses, rivet and hardware presses, and press break machines safely and correctly.
- Aluminum, 4%
Fabricated signs using everything from galvanized steel to aluminum.
Common skills that a sheet metal fabricator uses to do their job include "hand tools," "math," and "hvac." You can find details on the most important sheet metal fabricator responsibilities below.
Dexterity. Another essential skill to perform sheet metal fabricator duties is dexterity. Sheet metal fabricators responsibilities require that "sheet metal workers need good hand–eye coordination and motor control to make precise cuts and bends in metal pieces." Sheet metal fabricators also use dexterity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "fabricated duct work for residential and commercial heating and air conditioning; spot welding; forklift operator. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for sheet metal fabricators to perform their duties. For an example of how sheet metal fabricator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "sheet metal workers must calculate the proper sizes and angles of fabricated sheet metal to ensure the alignment and fit of ductwork." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a sheet metal fabricator: "demonstrated knowledge in mathematics such as arithmetic. ".
Mechanical skills. sheet metal fabricator responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "sheet metal workers use saws, lasers, shears, and presses." This resume example shows what sheet metal fabricators do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "use of both manual and mechanical sheers, brakers, and use of resistance/spot welding, minor welding when down time. "
Physical strength. Another common skill required for sheet metal fabricator responsibilities is "physical strength." This skill comes up in the duties of sheet metal fabricators all the time, as "sheet metal workers must be able to lift and move ductwork that is heavy and cumbersome." An excerpt from a real sheet metal fabricator resume shows how this skill is central to what a sheet metal fabricator does: "developed layout and planned sequence of operations, applying knowledge of trigonometry, machinery and physical properties of metal. "
The three companies that hire the most sheet metal fabricators are:
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Compare different sheet metal fabricators
Sheet metal fabricator vs. Tinner
A gutter installer does the basic installation of gutters, inspects, and repairs them. An installer isn't afraid of enclosed spaces and, if need be, is comfortable making use of a ladder. Your job as a gutter installer involves you measuring, cutting, and sealing the gutters when done. Your job description isn't restricted to just gutters, as you may also be required to work with metal sheets. You may also be called upon to complete roofing jobs. A gutter installer falls under a more general category of sheet metal workers.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, sheet metal fabricator responsibilities require skills like "hand tools," "math," "mig," and "punch press." Meanwhile a typical tinner has skills in areas such as "tin," "safety procedures," "air ducts," and "demo." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that tinners earn slightly differ from sheet metal fabricators. In particular, tinners are 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a sheet metal fabricator. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sheet metal fabricator vs. Gutter installer
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that sheet metal fabricator responsibilities requires skills like "hvac," "mig," "punch press," and "aluminum." But a gutter installer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "osha," "safety guidelines," "ladders," and "roofing."
Gutter installers may earn a lower salary than sheet metal fabricators, but gutter installers earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $36,763. On the other hand, sheet metal fabricators receive higher pay in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $43,228.In general, gutter installers achieve similar levels of education than sheet metal fabricators. They're 0.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sheet metal fabricator vs. Air duct mechanic
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, sheet metal fabricators are more likely to have skills like "math," "mig," "punch press," and "aluminum." But a air duct mechanic is more likely to have skills like "analyze blueprints," "air ducts," "install duct," and "tdc."
When it comes to education, air duct mechanics tend to earn similar degree levels compared to sheet metal fabricators. In fact, they're 2.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Sheet metal fabricator vs. Fabric worker
Even though a few skill sets overlap between sheet metal fabricators and fabric workers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a sheet metal fabricator might have more use for skills like "math," "hvac," "mig," and "aluminum." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of fabric workers require skills like "ladders," "cnc," "production processes," and "cushions. "
Fabric workers enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $36,499. For comparison, sheet metal fabricators earn the highest salary in the construction industry.The average resume of fabric workers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to sheet metal fabricators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.Types of sheet metal fabricator
Updated January 8, 2025
