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What is a steel fabricator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
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There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a steel fabricator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $15.7 an hour? That's $32,654 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 2% and produce 6,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreSteel FabricatorUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $32,654

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.8

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.61%

Asian 8.10%

Black or African American 12.05%

Hispanic or Latino 14.89%

Unknown 3.90%

White 60.44%

Gender

female 5.84%

male 94.16%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.9

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Steel fabricator career paths

Key steps to become a steel fabricator

  1. Explore steel fabricator education requirements

    Most common steel fabricator degrees

    High School Diploma

    48.4 %

    Associate

    17.2 %

    Bachelor's

    16.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific steel fabricator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    MIG10.70%
    Tape Measure10.23%
    Hand Tools9.53%
    Stainless Steel6.89%
    Steel Fabrication6.31%
  3. Research steel fabricator duties and responsibilities

    • Achieve welding certifications in pipe, structural steel, MIG, TIG and by the state of Maryland.
    • Programme and operate CNC press brake as necessary.
    • Weld and cut steel using MIG/ARC welders and cutting torches.
    • Work with various CNC machines, metal saws, drill presses and punches, press break, and forklift certify.
  4. Prepare your steel fabricator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your steel fabricator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a steel fabricator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable steel fabricator resume templates

    Build a professional steel fabricator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your steel fabricator resume.
    Steel Fabricator Resume
    Steel Fabricator Resume
    Steel Fabricator Resume
    Steel Fabricator Resume
    Steel Fabricator Resume
    Steel Fabricator Resume
    Steel Fabricator Resume
    Steel Fabricator Resume
    Steel Fabricator Resume
  5. Apply for steel fabricator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a steel fabricator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first steel fabricator job

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Average steel fabricator salary

The average steel fabricator salary in the United States is $32,654 per year or $16 per hour. Steel fabricator salaries range between $24,000 and $44,000 per year.

Average steel fabricator salary
$32,654 Yearly
$15.70 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do steel fabricators rate their job?

-/5

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Steel fabricator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Good at all structural steel been doing this for 35 plus years good layout man good cutter better than average welder


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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