10 Best Paying Jobs in Metal Fabrications in 2022
Choosing a career in the metal fabrication industry requires working smart and not only challenging, and picking up one of the best-paying jobs in metal fabrications is what is competent in this context.
We have realized this and thus are preparing this article to help all metal fabrication workers improve their standard of living. If you are in this category, then be sure this piece is for you. Before diving into the topic, you must know the metal fabrication concept (definition, techniques, and processes).
What is Metal Fabrication?
Metal fabrication is the creation or production of machines or several other structures requiring metal to function. It requires several processes that may not be completed in the same workplace.
A large company usually needs to accomplish a proposed metal structure and design. In other cases, raw materials will be taken to different locations to attain a goal.
Is Metal Fabrication a Good Career Path?
Yes, venturing into the metal fabrication industry is a promising career for young and old adults as it offers a wide array of high-paying jobs with numerous opportunities, such as job security and many others.
That metal fabrication is a promising career is not just word of mouth; it is evident on our just concluded list of the best-paying jobs in metal fabrication.
Nonetheless, this may be determined by certain factors, including the job you choose in the industry. If you think your strength lies there, wait no further than to venture into metal fabrication.
Best Paying Jobs in Metal Fabrications
Are you longing to venture into the metal fabrication industry and want to know more about high-paying jobs in the metal fabrication industry? Below are the best-paying jobs in metal fabrications.
1. Estimator
More like industrial engineers, estimators are involved in the pre-construction phase of a metal construction project. They help in calculating what the expenses of a projected construction project will look like. The estimation will majorly be done regarding equipment, labour, and materials.
Estimators work with construction contractors to enhance the result of a project. Whether you put it as calculate or estimate, you are right if you see estimators as trained professionals who help gain insight into the various expenses a metal project will cost.
In the United States, for instance, the yearly average income for an estimator is not lower than $60,678. According to a source, it typically goes around $61,872 and $78,898.
2. Metal Trader
Metal traders could be companies or individuals who buy and sell valuable metals like gold, platinum, palladium, copper, and many others.
If you are an independent metal trader (i.e., trading on your own), you can determine how much you can earn in the metal fabrication industry. This could be affected by several factors, including your attitude to work, negotiation, and communication skills.
Deciding to pick up metal trader jobs under a company means you will not have much power to determine how much you earn. Nonetheless, we gathered that the average metal trader’s salary in 2022 is about $87,596. Usually, the salary could fall anywhere around $76,000 and $102,791.
3. Ironworker
Ironworkers are tradesmen who work for iron-working companies. They are concerned with the fabrication and dismantling activities that any given pre-engineered metal building may require. The job of an ironworker would be duly said to be vocational.
Ironworkers work with everything regarding the erection of irons. They are categorized into three distinct types: structural, reinforcing, and ornamental.
All these are not to say that an ironworker is a blacksmith, as the name implies. Remember that blacksmithing, on the other hand, requires the action of shaping and tempering raw iron.
As the best-paying job in metal fabrications, the average yearly pay an ironworker can be paid is $58,550.
4. Metallurgist
Metallurgists study the techniques of treating and extracting alloys and metals. They deploy their studies to determine the application of any piece of metal to particular circumstances.
The fact stands that many take this job for the money involved in it. We all want to agree that making an average of $95,205 yearly in the United States is a whole lot of good earnings you should not miss out on.
5. Draftsman
Drafting technicians supply companies with technical drawings of what construction should look like. They could be ideally likened to architects in other building constructions.
Because of their jobs’ similarities, architects and draftsmen often work together. If your passion lies in drawing, you can think about venturing into the metal fabrication industry as a draftsperson.
Most draftsman jobs require applicants to have years of welding, metal fabrication, machining processes, and forming experiences to gain employment.
The job of a draftsperson cannot also be unmentioned on any list like this. GlassDoor uncovers that draftsmen earn an average salary of £31,890 in the United Kingdom.
6. Fabricator
Moreover, at this point, it looks like the whole industry is about fabricators, as they are responsible for the production of metal parts for pieces of equipment, pieces of machinery, and goods. They carry out everything involved in the fabrication of metal for various purposes.
Fabricators select the most appropriate metal fabrication tools for each technique, stage or process they get to in producing metal.
It may seem herculean, but the job is worth it, going by the disclosure that an average fabricator can earn $58,816 yearly. If you love to recreate, this pay, alongside the nature of the job, will make fabrication an exciting job for you.
7. Millwright
Millwright is one of the best-paying jobs in the metal fabrication industry, as it pays well. Nevertheless, let us know the job before talking about the pay.
Millwrights are responsible for operating industrial machinery in various metal fabrication processes. This seems to be one of the most strenuous jobs in the industry.
A recent study shows that an average Millwright earns about $53,010 in the United States. This means a millwright could also be paid $27 per hour in an organization.
8. Blueprint Tracer
Blueprint tracers specify methods and dimensions for new products. You could take many jobs and be happy if you choose to function in the metal fabrication industry. It is a broad industry you may need to study much time.
The job of a blueprint tracer is similar to that of a draftsman. You can therefore get to know about it by reading about the initially examined job, ‘drafter.’
We learned from a source that the average salary for blueprint tracers in the United States could be between $22,000 to $81,890. With this, you should know how profitable this job is and whether you would like to take it or not.
Furthermore, research shows you can earn better as a blueprint tracer in Los Angeles, CA.
9. Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineers play one of the most significant roles in ensuring the progress of any given fabrication company.
An industrial engineer’s roles include guiding companies on how to buy raw materials, decrease waste, train metal fabrication staff, design production schedules, evaluate production processes, and implement the most effective manufacturing ideas for metal production.
Individuals working in this area are engineers trained to examine the most befitting approach to metal goods production.
Industrial engineering is a good metal fabrication job you should not miss out on. Forbes recently disclosed that industrial engineers could earn as much as $92,660 as an average annual wage in the United States. The good thing about this job is that it does not require you to put in laborious efforts.
10. Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Programmer
CNC Programmer is another crucial job in metal fabrication, coming after the role of an industrial engineer. CNC programmers work with computer numerically controlled machines and create software that cuts and produces materials such as metal sheets on its own.
To process and produce the required number of objects, CNC programmers use schematic and program instructions. You want to agree with us that this is another metal fabrication you want to take for the merits of its pay. CNC programmers earn an average of $65,280 annually.
As the best-paying job in metal fabrications, a CNC programmer brings us to the final item on the list.
Metal Fabrication Techniques / Processes
Many take the metal fabrication processes for its techniques, but with thorough research, we have gathered that the following are metal fabrication techniques.
- Grinding
- Broaching
- Lathing
- Honing
- Milling
- Drilling
Processes
There are several metal fabrication processes, and a source rightly states that each can be used to cut, drill, fold, and weld any material.
Stamping – Often regarded as the process of raising certain portions of a metal sheet. It is one of the fabrication processes to utilize a die.
Casting: Casting is one of the oldest metal fabrication processes. It involves pouring molten metal into a mold, allowing it to solidify to form a specific shape.
Shearing: This is the term used to refer to sheets of metal that require long cuts.
Punching: This is one of the processes required to form holes in metal pieces. It is another fabrication process utilizing a die.
Machining: Taking out portions from a piece of metal with a machine is referred to as machining.
Welding: The joining of two different materials is welding.
Folding: This is manipulating metal surfaces to make any given shape with specific folding applications.
Cutting: It is the process of splitting sheets of metal; this could be into halves, thirds, or smaller sections.
The three major metal fabrication processes are Cutting, bending, and assembling.
Having helped readers gain insight into the concept of the given topic, we shall be talking about the best-paying jobs in mental fabrication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take your time to read extensively on the given topic. People learning about the best-paying jobs in metal fabrications also ask the following questions.
What are the metal fabrication tools list?
There are several tools you need for metal fabrication. The tool you will use to fabricate a metal depends on what technique, process, and design you have in mind for the metal.
- Bench Presses & Tooling
- Shrinker / Stretcher
- Bead Rollers & Rotary Machines
- Hand Shears
- Stomp Shears
- English Wheels
- Hand tools & Clecos
- Louver Press Kit
- Sheet Metal Brakes
- Planishing Hammer
- Tubing & Pipe Notchers
- Power Hammer
- Hydraulic Tubing Bender
- Benchtop Mini
- Metal Bead Roller with Dies
- Punch & Flares / Dimple Dies
These are some of the essential tools & equipment you need in metal fabrication. You can get these tools by ordering online.
What are the difference between metal fabrication and galvanized metal?
Metal fabrication and galvanizing do not share anything in common. While fabrication is bringing it into a new desired shape, design, and others, the galvanization of metals helps protect the metal from rusting. It has to do with all that is concerned with the preservation acts.
What are the list of metal fabrication companies?
Going by this question, you will get tired of the list we should have provided you with. Moreover, as a result, we shall be giving you insight into this by looking at the top metal fabrication companies across the globe. They are:
- O’Neal Manufacturing Services
- Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (MEC)
- AOC MetalWorks
- Morton Industries, LLC
- Tenere Inc.
- United Steel, Inc.
- BTD Manufacturing, Inc.
- Zimapligo Production Company
- Standard Iron & Wire Works, Inc.
- Evolve 76 Limited
These are some of the metal fabrication companies you should know about.
Conclusion
Despite being a broad topic, we have relatively been able to encapsulate the entirety of the metal fabrication industry in this seemingly short piece of article. Hence leaving your eagerness to learn about the best-paying jobs in metal fabrication with added knowledge.
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