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Construction Metal Fabricator
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$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

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