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Fabricator: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$44,650median pay per year, or $21.47 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $33,280lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,38025th percentile
  3. $44,650median
  4. $51,20075th percentile
  5. $64,880top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

A fabricator, which BLS files under miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators, had a median pay of $44,650 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.1%[2]
Openings per year
138,700[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do fabricators make?

The median pay for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators was $44,650 a year, or $21.47 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $46,660 a year, or $22.43 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980 a year[4], so this job's median sat below it.

Here are the annual percentiles[3]:

Percentile Annual wage Source
10th[3] $33,280
25th[3] $37,380
Median[1] $44,650
75th[3] $51,200
90th[3] $64,880

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $33,280, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $64,880[3]. Hourly, those two points were $16.00 and $31.19[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].

The figures cover about 1,405,030 wage and salary jobs[10]. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median at $50,330[12], but only 80 jobs[12]. Hawaii came next at $49,630 and Alaska at $49,390[12]. Arkansas had the lowest median among the 50 states and DC at $36,990[12].

Michigan had the most jobs at 112,310, followed by California at 98,390 and Texas at 93,650[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[14], Lafayette, LA had the highest median at $64,950. Jackson, MS followed at $63,170, then Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN at $63,140[14]. The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI area had the most jobs at 55,100, with a median of $49,240[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$50,33080
Hawaii$49,630420
Alaska$49,390220
Nevada$49,05011,290
Iowa$48,92019,540
Washington$48,26016,990
Kentucky$47,95047,320
California$47,72098,390
North Dakota$47,2504,410
New Hampshire$46,9406,130
Minnesota$46,92044,810
Oregon$46,91011,120
Massachusetts$46,72011,600
Missouri$46,48032,850
Colorado$46,1509,180
Maine$45,9703,910
Ohio$45,72093,480
Wisconsin$45,67046,360
Indiana$45,55085,610
South Carolina$45,50042,150
Nebraska$45,4707,240
Maryland$45,4506,880
Kansas$45,22013,830
Connecticut$45,17010,850
Arizona$45,08023,540
Louisiana$45,0703,400
Montana$44,9401,510
Virginia$44,90021,750
Michigan$44,690112,310
Tennessee$44,63058,760
New York$44,58033,180
Idaho$44,2105,890
Pennsylvania$44,16057,780
Illinois$44,14076,460
Utah$44,04019,110
Vermont$43,9801,380
Delaware$43,7701,210
South Dakota$43,2403,960
Alabama$42,70053,280
Wyoming$40,7201,200
Oklahoma$40,60011,920
Rhode Island$40,5902,790
North Carolina$40,33046,670
West Virginia$39,8503,480
New Mexico$39,3401,550
Mississippi$39,07016,800
Florida$38,41042,060
Texas$38,32093,650
Georgia$38,31052,020
New Jersey$37,62022,270
Arkansas$36,99012,460

How to become a fabricator

The training details in this section come from an OOH profile that covers a wider group of occupations than this one[16].

Certifications may help a candidate advance[20]. Many employers, especially in aerospace and defense, want electrical and electronic assembly workers to hold soldering certifications[21]. Experienced workers may move up to supervisor or manager[22].

In an O*NET survey of 26 team assemblers, 81% said a high school diploma or equivalent was the education required[23].

What fabricators do

O*NET describes team assemblers as people who build a whole product or part of one as a team and often rotate through the team's tasks[24]. Typical tasks include[25]:

OOH lists dexterity, mechanical skills, physical stamina and strength among the important qualities, and color vision for electrical and electronic work[26][27][28][29][30].

Where they work

Assemblers and fabricators work mainly in manufacturing plants, and conditions differ by plant and industry[31]. Transportation equipment manufacturing was the largest employer in 2025, at 25%[32]. Power tools and automation have eased some heavy tasks, but the work can still mean standing or sitting for long stretches, or working on ladders[31].

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers, a related occupation, have one of the highest injury and illness rates of all occupations. Workers lower the risk by following safety procedures, such as wearing slip-resistant shoes and lifting properly[33]. Most work full time, and some work shifts that include evenings, weekends and nights[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,403,500 to 1,418,400 jobs, a gain of 14,900[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[35]. These counts include the self-employed, so they differ from the OEWS job count[2].

About 138,700 openings are projected each year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.8% of workers leave the labor force and 6% move to another occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

The entry path is open. A high school diploma and several months of on-the-job training are typical[6][18]. Pay is below the all-occupations median, and growth is slower than the all-occupations rate[1][4][2][35]. The field is very large, with about 1,405,030 wage and salary jobs and about 138,700 openings a year[10][5]. Work is physical, and some jobs involve shifts[29][34].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fabricator make an hour?
The median was $21.47 an hour and the average was $22.43 in May 2025[1][7].
What education do you need to be a fabricator?
A high school diploma or equivalent is typical[6][17].
How long does it take to become a fabricator?
Workers typically get several months of on-the-job training[18].
Is fabricator work in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, with about 138,700 openings a year[2][5].
What is the highest paying state for fabricators?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $50,330, with 80 jobs[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators in the US was $44,650 per year and $21.47 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,403,500 to 1,418,400 jobs (a change of +14,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: 10th percentile $33,280, 25th percentile $37,380, 75th percentile $51,200, 90th percentile $64,880. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 138,700 openings for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators was $46,660 per year and $22.43 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: 10th percentile $16.00, 25th percentile $17.97, 75th percentile $24.61, 90th percentile $31.19. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 1,405,030 people were employed as Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators jobs: Michigan 112,310; California 98,390; Texas 93,650; Ohio 93,480; Indiana 85,610. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators (areas with at least 100 jobs): Lafayette, LA $64,950; Jackson, MS $63,170; Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN $63,140; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $60,250; Lexington-Fayette, KY $59,730; Spartanburg, SC $59,300; Oshkosh-Neenah, WI $57,260; Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $56,400. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators jobs: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 55,100 (median $49,240); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 47,970 (median $43,650); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 33,310 (median $46,190); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 31,310 (median $38,340); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 29,570 (median $47,200); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 26,880 (median $39,640). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Assemblers and Fabricators" covers Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 51-2092.00 (Team Assemblers) survey of workers (26 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 81%, Bachelor's Degree 7%, Some College Courses 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of assemblers and fabricators in 2025: Transportation equipment manufacturing 25%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: 3.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.