Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters salary in the U.S.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in the U.S. earn a median of $51,330 a year ($24.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 52,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,280 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $54,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for structural metal fabricators and fitters in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| 25th percentile | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| Median | $51,330 | $24.68 |
| 75th percentile | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,280 | $34.75 |
| Average (mean) | $54,030 | $25.98 |
Half of structural metal fabricators and fitters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,277.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,138.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,974.23 |
| Weekly | $987.12 |
| Hourly | $24.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | $64,760 | 770 |
| Alaska | $63,420 | 70 |
| Oregon | $62,220 | 560 |
| Massachusetts | $62,040 | 690 |
| Washington | $61,850 | 1,050 |
| Indiana | $60,180 | 3,870 |
| Connecticut | $58,760 | 500 |
| Idaho | $58,140 | 320 |
| California | $57,590 | 3,420 |
| Wisconsin | $56,310 | 1,810 |
| Minnesota | $56,210 | 640 |
| New Jersey | $55,650 | 1,540 |
| Illinois | $55,380 | 1,910 |
| Kentucky | $55,250 | 450 |
| New York | $55,080 | 2,040 |
| North Dakota | $54,430 | 140 |
| Virginia | $53,940 | 1,220 |
| New Hampshire | $53,920 | 100 |
| Missouri | $53,610 | 550 |
| Ohio | $52,300 | 1,090 |
| Alabama | $52,220 | 2,130 |
| Wyoming | $51,740 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,640 | 1,690 |
| Iowa | $51,360 | 650 |
| Colorado | $51,120 | 330 |
| South Dakota | $50,800 | 180 |
| Tennessee | $50,460 | 2,260 |
| Oklahoma | $50,380 | 710 |
| Maryland | $50,110 | 620 |
| Georgia | $50,010 | 560 |
| Louisiana | $49,120 | 2,520 |
| North Carolina | $48,990 | 1,070 |
| Nebraska | $48,820 | 580 |
| New Mexico | $48,700 | 240 |
| Texas | $48,490 | 4,440 |
| Arizona | $48,150 | 940 |
| Utah | $48,130 | 780 |
| Michigan | $47,950 | 1,270 |
| Kansas | $47,840 | 620 |
| Delaware | $46,940 | 110 |
| South Carolina | $46,910 | 1,020 |
| Florida | $46,880 | 2,950 |
| West Virginia | $46,880 | 180 |
| Hawaii | $43,750 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $42,550 | 700 |
| Arkansas | $41,260 | 640 |
| Nevada | $39,570 | 150 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,320 | 40 |
Best-paying metro areas for structural metal fabricators and fitters
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $75,570 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $68,350 | 690 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $68,280 | 2,290 |
| Mobile, AL | $66,820 | 780 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $66,110 | 70 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $65,980 | 520 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $65,850 | 60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $65,500 | 230 |
| Albany, OR | $65,420 | 50 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $64,760 | 590 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $64,350 | 440 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $64,230 | 420 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $63,920 | 50 |
| Savannah, GA | $63,420 | 30 |
| Evansville, IN | $63,120 | 230 |
Metro areas with the most structural metal fabricators and fitters
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 2,290 | $68,280 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,240 | $56,870 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,580 | $50,520 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,170 | $49,280 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 920 | $56,990 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 870 | $48,150 |
| Mobile, AL | 780 | $66,820 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 770 | $58,410 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 750 | $48,110 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 690 | $46,260 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 690 | $68,350 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 640 | $54,840 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 590 | $64,760 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 530 | $51,090 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 530 | $51,540 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,650 | $21.47 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $65,380 | $31.43 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | $53,710 | $25.82 |
| Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,450 | $35.79 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,750 | $25.84 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Machinist | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | $19.29 |
| Baker | $37,160 | $17.86 |
More: Production Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a structural metal fabricators and fitters make in the U.S.?
The median salary for structural metal fabricators and fitters in the U.S. is $51,330 a year, or $24.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid structural metal fabricators and fitters make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of structural metal fabricators and fitters in the U.S. earn at least $72,280 a year. The top 25% earn $61,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for structural metal fabricators and fitters in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,960 a year, and a quarter of structural metal fabricators and fitters earn $45,610 or less.
How many structural metal fabricators and fitters work in the U.S.?
About 52,360 structural metal fabricators and fitters are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.