Are you interested to know how many jobs are available in metal fabrications? Ever wanted to know what the employment prospects are? Well, Job Info Center has got you covered. In this guide, we’ll go over exactly what metal fabrication is, how many metal fabricators there are in the US, the typical career path, how much money you can expect to make, and the top employers in the industry.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are over 77,000 jobs available in metal fabrications, in the United States. This number is projected to grow to over 100,000 jobs in the coming years, so the future is looking bright in the metal fabrication industry.
- What is Metal Fabrication?
- How Important is Metal Fabrication?
- How Many Metal Fabricators are There in the US?
- Is Metal Fabrications a Good Career Path?
- How to Become a Metal Fabricator?
- 10 Best Paying Jobs in Metal Fabrications
- How Big is the Metal Fabrication Industry?
- 3 Largest Metal Fabrication Companies
- Conclusion
What is Metal Fabrication?
Metal fabrication refers to creating parts and pieces through several processes, such as bending and welding metals. The term can also refer to creating objects from raw materials. These can include bicycle frames, mining equipment, and even aerospace parts. The process can be done with various tools and machines, from laser cutters to water jets and from plasma cutters to CNC lasers.
This process typically involves cutting, bending, and assembling pieces of metal from raw sheets to build final products. The result can be items like sheet metal doors or parts for vehicles such as trunks and hoods.
Many different types of industries manufacture items from metals and utilize metals in their products, such as agriculture transportation. Metal fabricators need to be skilled at welding, soldering, and machining skills to complete a range of different tasks.
How Important is Metal Fabrication?
The metal fabrication industry is one of the most important industries in the United States. Many other industries rely on metal fabrication and would simply not exist without it.
Here are 5 reasons why metal fabrication is such an important industry:
1. Essential in an increasingly technological world
The ability to fabricate any needed metal part or piece has replaced the need for an enormous number of specialized craftsmen and even entire factories, leading to significant savings in the cost and speed of many projects. In the future, we may go as far as being able to 3D print everything. In a time of increasingly automated processes, humans are still always required to design, use and repair the tools used in metal fabrication.
2. A huge part of the US economy
The metal fabrication industry accounts for more than $80 billion annually in the United States, making it the 7th largest manufacturing industry. The sector produces 850,000 jobs, with an average of 8% yearly job growth.
3. Can be a very lucrative career
The metal fabrication industry is expected to grow significantly over the next 10 years and will create over 100,000 jobs by 2029.
4. Essential to other industries
Metal fabricators are essential to many industries, from marine transportation to oil & gas production. Metal fabricators and metal products can be found in manufacturing countless everyday products, including appliances, furniture, and devices. Very few industries do not employ metal fabricators or use metal products produced by them.
5. Essential to infrastructure of the US
Metal fabrication is an important industry because it plays a crucial role in building the infrastructure that we all take for granted in the modern world. The industry produces various products, such as structural steel for buildings and bridges, metal parts for machinery and equipment, and precision components for electronic devices.
How Many Metal Fabricators are There in the US?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 77,000 metal fabricators in the US, with job growth expected to increase over the next few years. The growing need for metal products and components in several different industries has driven the increase in demand for metal fabricators.
Many companies have implemented automation and other technological solutions that metal fabricators can provide to enhance their processes. A lot of these companies are expanding or increasing their metal fabrication facilities to meet the rising demand for more products. In addition, new jobs in the US are being created in response to growing sales.
Is Metal Fabrications a Good Career Path?
Metal fabrication can be a good career path for individuals interested in working with their hands, who enjoy working in a manufacturing or construction environment, and who have an aptitude for working with tools and machinery.
Metal fabrication is a skilled trade that requires a combination of on-the-job training and formal education. Many metal fabrication professionals start their careers as apprentices, learning the trade through hands-on training and mentorship.
Overall, Metal fabrication can be a good career path for individuals who enjoy working with their hands, have an aptitude for working with tools and machinery, and are interested in a career in manufacturing, construction, and transportation. With on-the-job training, formal education, and a steady demand for skilled workers, it can offer a stable and rewarding career.
How to Become a Metal Fabricator?
Individuals looking to become metal fabricators can expect to begin their careers by learning the skills necessary for the job through an metal fabricator apprenticeship. The apprenticeship consists of on-the-job training under the guidance of a more experienced metal fabricator. Apprentices will usually perform easier tasks like cutting, cleaning or simple welding jobs to gain experience. The trainee would then move into more complicated jobs like soldering electrical components or creating metal products from scratch.
After the apprenticeship, metal fabricators can start looking for a full-time job at one of the many companies that require their services. Some companies provide in-house apprentice programs that allow new workers to gain experience before moving on to a full time position with the company. This is an excellent way for juniors to learn about the industry and get a good start in the business. It’s not uncommon for metal fabricators to move up the ladder through these types of programs and eventually become supervisors, managers, or even owners of their corporations.
10 Best Paying Jobs in Metal Fabrications
There are a number of metal fabrication jobs that pay well above the national average salary in the United States.
Some of the highest paying jobs in the industry include:
1. Metallurgist
Metallurgical engineers specialize in metal products, such as extracting metals from ore, constructing metal parts, etc. Metallurgy is a very important field in the metal fabrication industry, so it’s no surprise that jobs in this area tend to pay very well.
Metallurgists earn an average salary of $89,408 per year.
2. Industrial engineer
Industrial engineers design products and production processes using math, science, and technology. Their main focus is increasing productivity by improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Industrial Engineers earn an average salary of $75,522 per year.
3. Mechanical engineer
Mechanical engineers study how machines move and create new machines to advance society.
Mechanical Engineers earn an average salary of $86,299 per year.
4. CNC Machinist
CNC machinists use computers and machines to create physical objects, such as parts for machines, frames for vehicles, and storage containers. Their job is very demanding, so the best pay is in highly skilled industrial settings.
CNC Machinists earn an average salary of $69,220 per year.
5. Welding Manager
Welding managers oversee welding projects and ensure they are completed on time and within budget. They may also be responsible for developing and implementing safety protocols.
Welding Managers earn an average salary of $81,040 per year.
6. Boilermaker
Boilermakers are one of the highest-paid metal fabricators. They work to create boilers, which are contained vessels that heat water to produce steam and power other machines.
Boilermakers earn an average salary of $65,360 per year.
7. Millwright
Millwrights are responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining the machinery that produces metal products.
Depending on the industry, Millwrights earn an average salary of between $36,450 and $83,690 per year.
8. Ironworker
Ironworkers are responsible for building steel structures for homes, commercial buildings, and more. They typically need to be in excellent shape because the job involves lifting heavy items.
Ironworkers earn an average salary of $47,500 per year.
9. CNC Programmer
CNC Programmers use computers to create and execute detailed manufacturing processes. They may also be responsible for the maintenance and updating of computer software.
CNC programmers earn an average salary of $55,289 per year.
10. Welder
Welding is one of the most common jobs in the metal fabrication industry. Welders are responsible for joining or repairing various metal parts.
Welders earn an average salary of $34,125 to $50,700 per year based on their experience.
How Big is the Metal Fabrication Industry?
The metal fabrication industry is a significant part of the overall manufacturing sector in the United States. According to Transparency Market Research, the metal industry is expected to grow and reach a value of US $473.7 Billion by 2031. This is mostly due to the increasing demand for metal products across various end users, such as automotive, packaging & storage, construction, aerospace, and others.
The industry encompasses a wide range of businesses specializing in different types of metal fabrication, such as structural steel fabrication, sheet metal fabrication, and precision metal fabrication. These businesses may produce structural steel for buildings and bridges, metal parts for machinery and equipment, and precision components for electronic devices.
The industry is also diverse regarding the size of companies; it includes small and medium-sized companies and large corporations. Additionally, many metal fabrication companies are located in areas with strong manufacturing and construction industries, such as the Midwest and South. Also areas with large transportation and aerospace industries, such as California and Washington.
The metal fabrication industry is a large and diverse sector that generates significant revenue and employs many people in the US. It plays an important role in the manufacturing and construction sectors and transportation, aerospace, and other industries.
3 Largest Metal Fabrication Companies
1. United States Steel Corp.
United States Steel Corporation (U.S. Steel) is an American integrated steel producer with major production operations in the United States and Central Europe. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. U.S. Steel is the largest domestically owned steel producer in the United States and is the world’s 24th-largest steel producer. The company’s core products include flat-rolled and tubular steel, iron ore, and coke.
United States Steel operates in three segments: flat-rolled products, U.S. Steel Europe, and tubular products. The company has a diverse customer base, including the automotive, construction, energy, and appliance industries.
2. Alcoa Incorporated
Alcoa Incorporated is a global leader in producing primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum, and alumina facilities. It is the leading aluminum producer by weight, making it a supplier of major end-markets such as automotive and aerospace. Alcoa Inc. also has a significant fabrication segment that specializes in creating a wide range of aluminum products for various markets, such as aerospace, automotive, construction, packaging, and industrial. They fabricate products such as aluminum sheets, plates, extrusions, and forgings, and they can provide custom fabrication services to meet customers’ specific needs.
In addition to its core business, Alcoa also has a strong focus on sustainability, and they invest in research and development to improve the environmental performance of their products, processes, and facilities.
3. Steel Dynamics
Steel Dynamics is a US-based metal fabrication company and one of the largest employers in the USA. The company’s steel operations segment consists of steel mills that produce steel products, including flat roll steel, structural steel, and rail infrastructure. Their metal recycling segment processes ferrous and nonferrous metals, such as iron, steel, aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, into raw materials for steel mills and other manufacturers.
Steel Dynamic’s fabrication facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed with experienced professionals specializing in fabrication, welding, and other metalworking processes. They also provide custom fabrication services to meet customers’ specific needs in the construction, transportation, industrial, and infrastructure markets.
Conclusion
Metal fabrication is a growing industry, and the market is expected to grow in the coming years. This trend should continue with advances in technology causing greater demand for metal products. As a result, more jobs are being created within the industry, and there will be plenty of opportunities for people who want to work in metal fabrications.
It is possible to break into this field as long as you have sufficient training and education and a willingness to learn new skills. The metal fabrications industry is highly competitive, but if you are skilled and eager to work, you will find this industry very rewarding.