Steel fabricator vs structural welder

The differences between steel fabricators and structural welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a structural welder has an average salary of $42,868, which is higher than the $32,654 average annual salary of a steel fabricator.

The top three skills for a steel fabricator include MIG, tape measure and hand tools. The most important skills for a structural welder are SMAW, FCAW, and MIG.

Steel fabricator vs structural welder overview

	Steel Fabricator	Structural Welder
Yearly salary	$32,654	$42,868
Hourly rate	$15.70	$20.61
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	3,063	9,651
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	-	4

Steel fabricator vs structural welder salary

Steel fabricators and structural welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Steel Fabricator	Structural Welder
Average salary	$32,654	$42,868
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $44,000	Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	-	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Turner Construction
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between steel fabricator and structural welder education

There are a few differences between a steel fabricator and a structural welder in terms of educational background:

	Steel Fabricator	Structural Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Steel fabricator vs structural welder demographics

Here are the differences between steel fabricators' and structural welders' demographics:

	Steel Fabricator	Structural Welder
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8%	Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	3%

Differences between steel fabricator and structural welder duties and responsibilities

Steel fabricator example 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.

Structural welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Fabricate and assemble small parts and components with the GMAW, SMAW, FCAW and aluminum weld process.
Bound structural as well as nonstructural parts by means of welding according to drawings using MIG and TIG welding of steel.
Weld, and fabricate pressure vessels using GMAW process.
Fix various stock trailers and other equipment that come in for repairs using FCAW, and GMAW.
Weld separately or in combination using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.

Steel fabricator vs structural welder skills

Common steel fabricator skills

MIG, 11%
Tape Measure, 10%
Hand Tools, 10%
Stainless Steel, 7%
Steel Fabrication, 6%
Aluminum, 5%

Common structural welder skills

SMAW, 9%
FCAW, 8%
MIG, 8%
Arc Welding, 8%
GMAW, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%