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The differences between sheet metal mechanics and sheet metal fabricators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sheet metal mechanic has an average salary of $42,882, which is higher than the $40,224 average annual salary of a sheet metal fabricator.
The top three skills for a sheet metal mechanic include hand tools, brazing and HVAC. The most important skills for a sheet metal fabricator are hand tools, math, and HVAC.
| Sheet Metal Mechanic | Sheet Metal Fabricator | |
| Yearly salary | $42,882 | $40,224 |
| Hourly rate | $20.62 | $19.34 |
| Growth rate | -1% | -1% |
| Number of jobs | 35,242 | 4,036 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Sheet metal mechanics, also called sheet metal workers, create and install sheet metal-based building parts. These workers assemble, disassemble, and repair sheet metal in different applications. Their role is significant in the shipping industry and aviation. They identify the causes of the operating errors as well as in deciding for their resolution. It is expected from them to have the ability to read and interpret blueprints; they should also have exceptional excellence in mathematics.
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 mechanics and sheet metal fabricators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sheet Metal Mechanic | Sheet Metal Fabricator | |
| Average salary | $42,882 | $40,224 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $59,000 | Between $29,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Fall River, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Constellation Energy Partners | Fortune Brands Home & Security |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Construction |
There are a few differences between a sheet metal mechanic and a sheet metal fabricator in terms of educational background:
| Sheet Metal Mechanic | Sheet Metal Fabricator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between sheet metal mechanics' and sheet metal fabricators' demographics:
| Sheet Metal Mechanic | Sheet Metal Fabricator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 2.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |