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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 51-2041 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Fabricate, lay out, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.
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Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
OJT: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Tasks: Verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes. Align and fit parts according to specifications, using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars, and hammers. Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes. Position, align, fit, and weld parts to form complete units or subunits, following blueprints and layout specifications, and using jigs, welding torches, and hand tools. Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences. Set up and operate fabricating machines, such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters, grinders, and drill presses, to bend, cut, form, punch, drill, or otherwise form and assemble metal components. Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met. Tack-weld fitted parts together. Lift or move materials and finished products, using large cranes. Remove high spots and cut bevels, using hand files, portable grinders, and cutting torches. Mark reference points onto floors or face blocks and transpose them to workpieces, using measuring devices, squares, chalk, and soapstone. Set up face blocks, jigs, and fixtures. Position or tighten braces, jacks, clamps, ropes, or bolt straps, or bolt parts in position for welding or riveting. Locate and mark workpiece bending and cutting lines, allowing for stock thickness, machine and welding shrinkage, and other component specifications. Erect ladders and scaffolding to fit together large assemblies. Design and construct templates and fixtures, using hand tools. Hammer, chip, and grind workpieces to cut, bend, and straighten metal. Straighten warped or bent parts, using sledges, hand torches, straightening presses, or bulldozers. Smooth workpiece edges and fix taps, tubes, and valves. Preheat workpieces to make them malleable, using hand torches or furnaces. Heat-treat parts, using acetylene torches.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Good
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $12.12   Entry $25,207.00
Mean $18.18   Mean $37,821.00
Experience $21.22 Experience $44,133.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
2,6502,350240-1.19
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Occupational Videos
51-2041.00 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters