Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by
Are you looking for a career in the metal fabrication industry? This industry has many career opportunities and huge growth potential in the coming years. If you enjoy working with hands to produce high-quality products from metal, you can get an impressive income based on your skills.
While there are several opportunities in this industry, we’ve sorted out the best-paying jobs in metal fabrications in this article. You can choose your career depending on your interests, skills, and qualifications.
Is Metal Fabrications A Good Career Path?
The metal fabrication industry offers a range of job opportunities for skilled professionals. You can also get decent pay with a high school diploma or equivalent course and earn more based on your experience level. Again, the industry has different opportunities for professionals coming from various sectors. So, metal fabrication is a good career path.
What is Metal Fabrication?
Metal fabrication involves the making of items and goods from metal. Professionals in this industry are called metal fabricators and possess extensive knowledge of different metals and their properties.
They possess technical skills and know how to operate different machinery for producing metal goods.
Metal fabrication involves manufacturing spare parts, vehicle chassis, and much more from raw materials. Job responsibilities for professionals in this field include welding, machining, shaping, cutting, and assembling metal parts.
The 11 Best-Paying Jobs In Metal Fabrications
Metal fabricators can work in various sectors like manufacturing, welding, assembling, construction, etc. The salary for an entry-level position can be around $50,000 and increases as you gain experience and skills.
Following are the high-paying jobs in the metal fabrication industry and the expected salary range.
1. Ironworker
Average salary: $58,805 per year
Ironworkers create structures using iron and steel. This job demands physical fitness since it involves a high degree of physical labor. Their job is mostly outdoors, and they spend most of their time on heights to build structures and frames for skyscrapers, roads, bridges, and other buildings.
The basic duties of ironworkers are to review the blueprints and work accordingly. They heat, cut, shape iron beams, weld iron pieces, operate heavy machinery and record the construction progress.
2. Millwright
Average salary: $61,978 per year
Millwright jobs are among the highest paying jobs in the metal fabrication industry. A millwright is responsible for working on the construction site or manufacturing plant to assemble, install, maintain, repair, weld, dismantle, and move machines.
They learn how machines work by studying technical plans. They replace defective pieces and set up the work site for other employees. Companies typically hire millwrights when they want to update machinery or change the machine layout and environment.
3. Fabricator
Average salary: $69,334 per year
Metal fabricators are among the best-paying jobs in metal fabrication. Fabricators are responsible for producing metal components for creating metal products, machines, and equipment. They cut, blend, shape, and file the metal pieces to create high-quality finished products that meet their engineering specifications.
As a metal fabricator, you must select the right tools for welding, cutting, and soldering the products. You also need to check the finished goods to ensure they meet quality and uniformity before delivery.
4. Sheet metal mechanic
Average salary: $75,689 per year
With an attractive annual pay, sheet metal mechanic jobs are the best paying careers in sheet metal fabrication. The responsibilities of sheet metal mechanics involve cutting, shaping, and installing sheet metal equipment for drainage pipes, roofing, ventilation ducts, and air conditioning systems.
They check the site’s blueprints and design the sheet metal to fit in the desired space. Sheet metal mechanics also create even seams, cut and straighten the metal, and assemble the finished product.
5. CNC programmer
Average salary: $74,566 per year
CNC programmer jobs involve designing and creating software to instruct machines to cut and manufacture materials. The machines cut raw materials based on the programming and instructions passed to them. They identify which tools to use, develop codes, and enter designs into the CNC machines.
CNC programmers read and interpret blueprints and set up the machine accordingly. They also troubleshoot problems and perform basic maintenance of the machines.
6. Boilermaker
Average salary: $65,360 per year
Boilermakers install and design boilers and large containers carrying hot liquids and gases. They communicate with the clients to determine their requirements and create boilers accordingly.
They also visit different industries to check the boiler’s performance and repair or maintain it. They check the gauge, pipelines, and other materials to ensure the safe functioning of the boiler.
You must be physically fit as a boilermaker since you may have to lift heavy metal appliances. Boilermakers work alongside other tradespeople. So, you should be comfortable working in teams.
7. CNC machinist
Average salary: $74,337 per annum
A CNC machinist is a professional that operates CNC machine in metal fabricator industries. This machine produces metal components, parts, and tools from metal or plastic.
CNC machinists set up the tools and machinery, monitor their performance, and check the durability and quality of the final product. They maintain the CNC machine and unload raw materials after production.
CNC machinists can land jobs in various companies such as mechanical engineering, motor vehicle manufacturing, shipbuilding, and power generation industries.
8. Industrial engineer
Average salary: $78,626 per annum
Industrial engineers are responsible for developing efficient manufacturing equipment for industries. They check the best methods to produce products, decide production schedules, identify the appropriate raw materials, and implement quality control measures.
Industrial engineers are also responsible for managing other team members during the project. They typically work in commercial companies, scientific laboratories, and manufacturing plants but may also have to travel to the client’s location.
9. Construction Superintendent
Average salary: $81,619 per annum
Construction superintendents are professionals ensuring that the construction completes as defined from start to end. They supervise the project, acquire essential supplies, gather raw and other building materials, manage the budget, and define the timeline.
They also hire and train workers and inspect them to ensure work quality.
As a construction superintendent, you will also be responsible for coordinating with the accounting department. You also need to maintain construction records and handle material requests.
10. Manufacturing manager
Average salary: $85,602 per annum
Manufacturing manager is another popular job title in the metal fabrication sector. Employees in this position supervise production activities in the industry. They plan, schedule, and manage inventory activities to ensure efficient production.
They train employees on different processes and tools to ensure their responsibilities are accomplished on time.
Manufacturing managers are also responsible for keeping the working environment safe for their workers. They report any equipment or working site defects to upper management.
11. Metallurgist
Average salary: $93,068 per annum
Metallurgist jobs are one of the best paying jobs in metal fabrications. Metallurgists are professionals who research new methods to extract metals and new alloys. This job requires individuals to study applications of metals and how to use metal properties in different situations.
Metallurgists find the best techniques to process and produce metals and improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process. By studying their properties, they share information on how to shape and modify metals and alloys like steel, copper, aluminum, etc.
Important Skills to Have as a Metal Fabricator
Different metal fabricator job roles require different skills. However, if you want to search for a metal fabricator job, you need to have the following skills and qualifications:
- A high school diploma or equivalent studies.
- A certificate in metal fabrication.
You can also get a job in the metal fabrication sector after completing a post-secondary course at a technical school or with a college degree in a related field. Some metal fabricators have also built a successful career in metal fabrication by enrolling in an apprenticeship course.
Where Do Sheet Metal Workers Make The Most Money?
Sheet metal workers work in sheet metal fabrication companies. According to labor statistics, their work satisfaction is 2.75 out of 5. Besides, the best places where sheet metal fabricators can make the most money include:
- Alaska – $80,560
- Hawaii – $78,410
- Washington – $71,840
- District of Columbia – $71,180
- West Virginia – $69,350
Overall, the median salary range for sheet metal workers across the US is $48,050 per annum.
How Much Do Metal Fabricators Make In Australia?
The average salary range of a metal fabricator in Australia is $65,051 per annum.
How Much Does a Metal Fabricator Make In Ontario?
As of July 2022, the average annual salary of a metal fabricator in Ontario is $51,814.
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Conclusion – Is Metal Fabrications A Good Career Path
That was our list of the best-paying metal fabricator jobs. Regardless of location, you can land high-paying metal fabricator job opportunities as welders, engineers, metallurgists, CNC machinists, etc. You can search and apply for jobs in this sector through online job portals.
So, gain the necessary skills and qualifications and start your career in metal fabrication.