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How to hire a steel fabricator

Steel fabricator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring steel fabricators in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a steel fabricator is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per steel fabricator on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 56,157 steel fabricators in the US and 3,063 job openings.
  • Denver, CO, has the highest demand for steel fabricators, with 3 job openings.
  • Houston, TX has the highest concentration of steel fabricators.

How to hire a steel fabricator, step by step

To hire a steel fabricator, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a steel fabricator:

Here's a step-by-step steel fabricator hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a steel fabricator job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new steel fabricator
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the steel fabricator you need to hire. Certain steel fabricator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect steel fabricator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    The following list breaks down different types of steel fabricators and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Steel FabricatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Steel FabricatorAssemblers and fabricators assemble finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make engines, computers, aircraft, ships, boats, toys, electronic devices, control panels, and more.$11-21
    Welder FitterA Welder Fitter specializes in manipulating steel, aluminum, and other materials into various industries' structural forms. The majority of a welder's responsibilities are mostly manual work, which can have risks as they use torches or lasers for their daily tasks, and there are also instances when they have to climb high structures... Show more$13-26
    Warehouse AssemblerA warehouse assembler takes on several responsibilities. They are responsible for preparing work that needs to be accomplished by studying and following assembly instructions to put together parts... Show more$12-17
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • MIG
    • Tape Measure
    • Hand Tools
    • Stainless Steel
    • Steel Fabrication
    • Aluminum
    • Stairs
    • Steel Structures
    • Plasma Table
    • Safety Equipment
    • TIG
    • Overhead Cranes
    • Custom Orders
    • Shop Drawings
    Check all skills
    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.
    • Weld, tack, and fit uprights that go on mods, fab and repair any projects using FCAW welding techniques.
    • Assemble fiberglass aircraft louvers in accordance with standard operating procedures while adhering to applicable safety regulations.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your steel fabricator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A steel fabricator can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, steel fabricators' average salary in tennessee is 34% less than in nevada.
    • Seniority. Entry-level steel fabricators 45% less than senior-level steel fabricators.
    • Certifications. A steel fabricator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a steel fabricator's salary.

    Average steel fabricator salary

    $15.70hourly

    $32,654 yearly

    Entry-level steel fabricator salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025
  4. Writing a steel fabricator job description

    A steel fabricator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a steel fabricator job description:

    Steel fabricator job description example

    Robinson Fans, Inc. is a family-owned and operated business going back six generations. Founded in 1892, Robinson Fans is a significant player in the industrial air-moving equipment space. Headquartered in Zelienople, PA, since 1922, Robinson Fans now has locations in Lakeland, FL, and Salt Lake City, UT.

    At Robinson Fans, Inc., our employees are at the core of all we do. We provide a fast-paced and nurturing culture that provides our team members with the environment needed to succeed.

    Position Summary:

    We are seeking a highly dynamic steel fabricator associate to join our production team. The steel fabricator associate is responsible for the planning and layout of all fabricating operations necessary for casings, large wheels and related fabricated items. This position uses various hand tools such as shears, rolls, presses, drills, grinders, and torches. .

    Responsibilities:

    • Receives drawings, sketches, and instruction from drafting and engineering covering all types of casings and wheel designs of all alloy and carbon steel material and related fabricated items.

    • Checks all drawing and sketch information for ability to fabricate various materials and designs with high degree of accuracy. Notifies the Group Leader and/or Engineering of problem areas.

    • Prepares all components for welding, parts burned from the CNC burn table, cuts bar, and angles pipe, etc.

    • Prepares list of materials for layout and provides Laborer and Machine Operator with quantities and sizes required.

    • Checks availability of material from the CNC burn machine.

    • Checks dimensional accuracy of material delivered to the layout area.

    • Uses floor-operated overhead cranes, jib hoists, etc. to move material to and from the layout tables and areas, fabricating units, etc.

    • Lays out sheet, plate, bar stock, weldments, etc., Makes all necessary notations for fabricating, burning, fitting, welding, etc. Uses templates, as available.

    • Sets up and operates various fabricating units, such as shears, rolls, presses, punches, saws, etc., and or informs Machine Operators of fabricating requirements.

    • Plans and/or performs hand and/or machine burning, when required.

    • Plans and/or performs moderate to complicated fitting and tack welding, when necessary.

    • Ensures that all layout work is performed in a sequence that will not interfere with welding functions.

    Qualifications:

    • High School diploma or GED required.

    • A combination of training and strong manufacturing experience

    • Must take the initiative and be able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the team

    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

    • Requires the ability to read and interpret complicated drawings and sketches in determining the appropriate assembly procedures; use measuring device accurately to 1/32 of an inch

    • Requires the physical and mental ability, as well as the manual dexterity, to assemble various types of subassemblies, assemblies and finished products.

    • Requires the physical ability and manual dexterity to operate hand and power tools and test equipment.

    • Requires the ability to climb on ladders, scaffolds, tables, etc. in performing assembly duties and in handling material.

    • Requires the ability to communicate orally or by the written or printed word with supervisors and coworkers.

    • Performs duties in a congested area where attention is required to ensure the safety of the incumbent and of other employees in that area.

    Benefits:

    Robinson offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits plan that includes medical, dental, life, disability, 401k, Profit Sharing, Paid Time Off, including paid vacation, holidays, and tuition reimbursement.

    Robinson Fans, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship, age, religion, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other characteristic or trait protected by federal, state, or local law.


  5. Post your job

    To find steel fabricators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any steel fabricators they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level steel fabricators with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your steel fabricator job on Zippia to find and recruit steel fabricator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with steel fabricator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new steel fabricator

    Once you have selected a candidate for the steel fabricator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new steel fabricator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a steel fabricator?

Hiring a steel fabricator comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting steel fabricators involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of steel fabricator recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

Steel fabricators earn a median yearly salary is $32,654 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find steel fabricators for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $11 and $21.

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