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Yes, metal fabrication is an excellent career path. There are many different paths you can take in this field, be it in construction, heavy machinery operation, or studying metallurgy. Many of these careers don’t require a college degree, allowing you to get started on your career path right away.
Many of these jobs focus on building things and working with your hands. A lot of people find their career more satisfying if there’s a finished product that they can look at at the end. You’ll also likely have variety in your work, as you’ll work at different sites for different people over the course of your career.
If the above jobs and skills sound appealing to you, then a career in metal fabrication is something to seriously consider.
Here are 20 great jobs in Metal Fabrication:
10 of the Best Paying Jobs in Metal Fabrication
Due to the fact that most of the careers in metal fabrication don’t require a college education, it’s not going to be as well paid as some other fields. However, tradespeople with this knowledge is absolutely necessary, and many of these jobs are highly skilled.
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Average Annual Salary: $40,000
While the title is in some ways antiquated, boilermakers are still very much in demand. Boilermakers don’t just make boilers; they make and maintain any kind of metal container in which a liquid will be stored.
This can be as benign as water and as toxic as a dry cleaning solvent. This job requires an understanding of metals, welding, and fittings.
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Average Annual Salary: $83,000
This job requires at least a bachelor’s degree. Metallurgical engineers work with metals, ore, and forging. They can work either in doing studies to help with ease and efficiency of extraction of ore from mines, as well as what types of metals to use in what situation.
Engineers determine practical solutions to problems, and for those who specialize in metallurgy, that means finding the best metal mixtures for the project – be that building skyscrapers, cars, or bridges.
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Average Annual Salary: $83,000
While materials science isn’t specific to metals, they do focus on various materials used in construction and manufacturing. Materials scientists figure out why things work the way they do and continually focus on making improvements. This job requires a high degree of creativity and precision, as well as a college education.
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Average Annual Salary: $43,000
A person with this title is in charge of a job site. This makes it a managerial position. The foreman is responsible for making sure that safety standards are followed, the clients’ requirements are met, and the different groups work together.
This position requires experience in construction and an understanding of the different skills that go into the entire project.
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Average Annual Salary: $50,000
This is a highly skilled position that requires in-depth knowledge of pipes, blueprints, and various systems, such as plumbing and climate control.
They have to know the right type of pipes to use, how they fit together and make sure the materials are appropriate for what they carry – be that water, petroleum, natural gas, or something even more hazardous.
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Average Annual Salary: $87,000
While metallurgical engineers focus on the practical, metallurgists focus more on the theoretical. They study various types of metals and how they react in different situations and in different mixtures.
Of course, the study of metal has practical applications, but metallurgists look to improve on current materials and practices by study and experimentation.
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Average Annual Salary: $45,000
Machinists spend a lot of their time on computers. Someone in this position has a strong understanding of materials and fabrication.
They can either make specialized items for prototypes or sensitive equipment or set up the specifications for the machining for an assembly line. They are expected to know the limits of their machines and the materials they work with.
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Average Annual Salary: $50,000
Also called an industrial mechanic, a millwright is a skilled tradesperson who works with industrial machinery for power plants or factories. They are responsible for the setup, repair, and – if necessary – moving of complex machines. This also includes aligning the equipment with the power source, which could be a motor or even a turbine.
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Average Annual Salary: $44,000
A jeweler is responsible for designing and creating jewelry. This requires knowledge of metals – especially precious metals – gemstones, as well as gem-setting and forging techniques. A jeweler’s salary can vary greatly depending on where they work and their level of experience and skill.
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Average Annual Salary: $51,000
This is a specialized machining job. Tool and die makers are responsible for making tools and designing dies to specifications. This requires knowledge of both machinery, tools, and materials. This may or may not be specialized to a specific industry or project.
Most of these jobs require higher levels of education or high levels of training. While it may be possible to enter into most of them with lower levels of experience, it will take time and experience before being able to pull in a higher salary. If you’re looking for a way to get started in the industry, below are some suggestions.
10 Entry-Level Jobs in Metal Fabrication
Almost all the careers in metal fabrication are going to require an apprenticeship. Some community colleges and vocational schools will also offer an education in skilled trades. The majority of these positions will have a steep learning curve and will require time and practice to improve.
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Average Annual Salary: $38,000
Welding is a trade that requires practice to become skilled at. Most welders must apprentice, but there are also classes at vocational schools to teach you how to weld. Welding is a requirement in many other metalworking jobs as well. It’s a very hands-on job that requires flexibility.
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Average Annual Salary: $30,000
A metal finisher is responsible for the finishing work on metal pieces. This can require filing, cutting, the removal of burrs and sharp edges, and polishing. It requires attention to detail, knowledge of metals, and being good with your hands.
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Average Annual Salary: $34,000
A press brake is a piece of heavy equipment that is used to bend metal into required shapes. Heavy machinery requires skilled operators due to the fact that it can be extremely dangerous. An operator has to understand the machine, know how to use it, and be familiar with maintenance and basic repairs.
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Average Annual Salary: $34,000
The process of metalizing is by applying a coating metal on the surface of an object. It’s often a powder, and aluminum is a popular choice due to the fact that it doesn’t rust. But it can be any sort of metal, and the reason for it can range from decorative to practical.
An operator of a metalizing machine has to understand how to operate it safely, the basic processes behind it, and how to maintain it.
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Average Annual Salary: $41,000
A metal stud framer works on building houses and other buildings. They specialize in sizing and cutting metal studs to spec, but they also are involved in the building of the framework of the walls as well as the installation. This is a skilled craftsperson job that requires knowledge of building and tools.
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Average Annual Salary: $34,000
Someone in this position is responsible for installing sheet metal. This can be air ducts, airplane wings, or vehicle bodies. A sheet metal fabricator has to be familiar with the metal and will pick the best type of sheet metal for the job.
They must also know how to work with it as well as how to fit it together properly. They have to be familiar with the required tools, such as drills, and be able to measure accurately.
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Average Annual Salary: $33,000
Soldering is often used on circuit boards. A solderer has to be familiar with different types of solder, the materials being used, and keeping the proper temperature so as not to damage the circuit board. It requires a fine hand and being familiar with the tools, such as soldering iron heads and solder wick.
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Metallurgical Laboratory Assistant
Average Annual Salary: $49,000
If you’re interested in metallurgy or being a metallurgist, this is a good place to start. This job gets you into research in the field. Laboratory assistants mainly assist, e.g., by setting up equipment and writing down the measurements.
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Average Annual Salary: $39,000
Iron workers specialize in iron and steel. They need to be able to understand blueprints, cut metal pieces to the requirements, and be familiar with welding. This is a more skilled job, but many iron workers are given on-the-job training or can learn the skills at a vocational school.
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Average Annual Salary: $48,000
A goldsmith’s duties and salary depend greatly on where they work and how skilled they are. Goldsmiths mostly work with jewelry through forging, filing, and casting. Goldsmiths don’t work exclusively with gold and are expected to work with and be knowledgeable about other precious metals as well.
For many of these career options, a vocational school is an excellent option to start building the necessary skill set. Many of these jobs will offer apprenticeship or on-the-job training as well, though many trades have a reputation for being difficult to get into if you don’t have contacts in the trade already.
Why Choose a Career in Metal Fabrication?
Most careers in metal fabrication involve working with your hands. There is usually a ramp-up to getting good with the skills required for the jobs, but once you acquire the necessary experience, your value rises tremendously.
Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking of a career in this field. If these qualities describe you, then it’s likely to be a good fit.
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You like to make things. Not every job in metal fabrication ends in something you can hold in your hands, but most of them have an obvious result. Be it building a duct or putting up the wall of a house; there is something physical to point to after a workday.
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Working on different things is appealing to you. For many of the careers listed above, you’ll be required to switch from project to project. While the end result may be similar, you’ll be working in different places with different people on each project.
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You enjoy working with your hands. A lot of careers in metal fabrication involve manual labor. You have to be dexterous and skilled with your hands in order to be good at them. If that’s important and satisfying to you, it’s something to consider.
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You’re not convinced about getting a four-year college degree. Whether this is because school was never your strong suit, you don’t like the idea of crushing debt, or you just want to get started with your career quickly, it’s all valid.
There are exceptions, but most careers in this field only require a high school diploma. Vocational schools are an excellent choice, but many also offer apprenticeship programs or on-site training.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Metal Fabrication
For most of these careers, a college degree isn’t necessary, though it’s unlikely to hurt. Vocational schools will offer necessary skills, though the majority of paths into this field will be through apprenticeship programs.
Almost all trades need to be licensed, and the majority need to be bonded as well – which is more or less a form of insurance. The requirements will vary from state to state, but many are certified by others in the trade. This is especially true of highly skilled trades that can be dangerous if done incorrectly, such as being a boilermaker or a millwright.
If you are interested in metallurgy, here are some college degree ideas.
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Metallurgy. You can get a bachelor’s in this from the right school, but higher-level degrees aren’t usually necessary.
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Chemistry. This can be good either as a metallurgical engineer, a metallurgist, or a materials scientist.
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Physics. Most metallurgy is about how metals react to various forces, which is physics in a nutshell.
Apprenticeship programs can be difficult to get into, but if you can manage them, they’re an excellent way to learn the trade. They also help you build contacts, which can help you get properly certified and get work in the future.
What Do People Working In Metal Fabrication Do?
Most careers in metal fabrication are skilled blue-collar work. A lot of it involves working with your hands and going to job sites for work – often outdoors. However, these are jobs that require a great deal of training, extensive knowledge of the materials, and the ability to read blueprints.
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Author
Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.
