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Construction Metal Fabricator
Hourly Rates up to Jobs Available
$34 165,200+

What Does a Metal Fabricator Do?

If you like building and fixing things, metal fabrication could be the perfect career for you.

Metal fabricators follow patterns and blueprints to create structures from raw metal.
They are skilled craftspeople who assemble structural metal products such as frameworks or shells for machinery, ovens, tanks, stacks and metal parts for buildings and bridges. They prepare, cut, shape, machine and weld metal using complex hand tools and equipment such as blowtorches, shears, gauges, nail sets, power saws and workshop presses.

They typically work in factory settings or construction and must use hardhats, gloves and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect them from flying debris and other workplace hazards. 

If this sounds interesting, keep reading to learn more about this physical, in-demand skilled job. 

A metal fabricator uses a hydraulic punching machine on a piece of metal
Metal fabricators are in high demand in technology-driven industries like aerospace. (Credit: wichan/Shutterstock)

Responsibilities

  • Interpret engineering blueprints
  • Measure meticulously and plan well to reduce waste
  • Mark cutting and bending lines
  • Set up metalwork machinery, including rollers, drill presses, flame cutters, brakes and shears
  • Fabricate and construct metal components
  • Grind and finish completed products
  • Perform quality checks on completed products
  • Program robotic machines and computers
  • Follow all safety regulations
  • Maintain records 

How To Become a Metal Fabricator: FAQs

The bottom line:

If you have an eye for detail, love power tools and want to be a part of team of people who create items from scratch, this could be a good career for you. Check out SkillPointe's training pages for programs near you.

Eddie Hines, metal fabricator

What is it like to be a metal fabricator?

Eddie Hines credits his dad for helping him find his way into the skilled trades. 

“I looked at welding and masonry and all those trades that actually built America, and I wanted to be a part of that. We’re like Santa’s little helpers,” says the metal fabricator.

Now he owns his own business and encourages others to go into this line of work.

Learn more about what it's like to be a metal fabricator.

Find Metal Fabricator Training In Your Area

Ephraim

Welding Technology, A.S.

Snow College offers a Welding Technology program of approximately 63 semester hours of instruction, which prepares the student to meet job entry...
Pittsburgh

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship, A.S.

This Associate's degree program enables students enrolled in the CCAC certificate for sheet metal apprentices to continue with their education and...
Pittsburgh

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Certificate

This four-year certificate program offers qualifying applicants occupational training under the sponsorship of the local Joint Apprenticeship...
Pittsburgh

Ironworker Apprenticeship Certificate

This three-year certificate program offers qualifying applicants occupational training under the sponsorship of the local Joint Apprenticeship...
Los Altos Hills

Sheet Metal Apprenticeship

The Sheet Metal trade is unique as it is one of the few crafts that starts with raw material, creates a component and installs and maintains the...

Sheet Metal Apprentice I Certificate

The Sheet Metal Apprentice I Certificate encompasses the technical content of the first two years of a sheet metal major apprenticeship. Topics... Read More

Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Readiness Certificate

These short-term certificate programs help prepare students interested in entering trades apprenticeships to be more knowledgeable about their career... Read More

Sheet Metal Apprenticeship

Sheet Metal is a registered apprenticeship program. The Mid-Valley Sheet Metal Committee, MA #1060, contracts with Chemeketa to administer the Sheet... Read More

Apprenticeship Technology Workplace Certificate

This program prepares students for careers in the metalworking trades and is designed primarily for apprentices and industrial workers. Read More

Sheet Metal Apprenticeship, A.A.

The Sheet Metal Apprenticeship certificate concentrates on training apprentices to the specific levels required for the construction industry and has... Read More

Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Certificate

The Sheet Metal Apprenticeship certificate concentrates on training apprentices to the specific levels required for the construction industry and has... Read More
Palomar College
San Marcos

Sheet Metal Apprenticeship

A five-year apprenticeship program. The term “sheet metal” refers to any metal that can be formed into flat pieces of varying thicknesses. Using... Read More

ABC Sheet Metal Apprenticeship, A.S.

To be part of the program, you'll maintain the required work hours with good standing in your apprenticeship classes.You must be 18 years of age or... Read More

ABC Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Certificate of Achievement

To be part of the program, you'll maintain the required work hours with good standing in your apprenticeship classes.You must be 18 years of age or... Read More
Mid-State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids

Ironworker Apprenticeship

The work includes the fabrication, production, erection and construction of iron, steel, ornamental lead, bronze, etc. in the erection of industrial... Read More
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