Salary guide, May 2025
Sheet Metal Fabricator pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the United States was $53,750 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,790 and $63,010.
Direct match · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Sheet Metal Fabricator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,240 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 | $77,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.87 | $22.50 | $25.84 | $30.29 | $37.28 |
BLS estimated 416,210 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $54,590 | $47,870 to $62,630 | 3,510 | 0.46 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $49,930 | $46,670 to $60,310 | 2,520 | 0.65 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $50,200 | $45,940 to $59,630 | 2,020 | 0.53 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $56,940 | $47,190 to $60,980 | 1,090 | 0.55 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,680 | $52,790 to $75,930 | 5,780 | 0.23 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,680 | $52,790 to $75,930 | 5,780 | 0.23 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $51,630 | $46,180 to $62,670 | 10,620 | 0.98 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $52,650 | $46,270 to $61,750 | 9,320 | 0.77 |
Rank every metro for Sheet Metal Fabricator
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$99,570
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$99,570
- Chemical Manufacturing$76,240
- Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only)$76,240
- Dairy Product Manufacturing$72,840
- Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only)$68,800
- Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills$68,120
- Other Food Manufacturing$67,610
- Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing$67,540
- Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing$65,520
- Food Manufacturing$64,980
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$64,140
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing$63,360
- Animal Slaughtering and Processing$63,360
- Grain and Oilseed Milling$63,100
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 274,710 | $46,560 | $51,210 | $60,920 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 112,520 | $46,470 | $50,870 | $60,450 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 70,020 | $46,540 | $50,640 | $60,410 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 63,880 | $47,530 | $53,660 | $61,020 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 63,500 | $46,560 | $51,100 | $61,980 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 56,750 | $47,520 | $53,680 | $61,000 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 25,910 | $46,290 | $50,870 | $59,990 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 22,560 | $46,190 | $49,340 | $56,790 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 15,760 | $46,570 | $52,280 | $61,120 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 14,960 | $46,790 | $52,240 | $61,110 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 14,470 | $40,180 | $47,300 | $54,890 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 14,370 | $50,580 | $62,470 | $66,960 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 7,520 | $44,640 | $50,700 | $61,010 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 5,830 | $46,700 | $51,580 | $59,810 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 4,840 | $39,080 | $47,400 | $59,210 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 4,330 | $46,070 | $49,890 | $57,980 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 4,160 | $54,690 | $64,140 | $78,700 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 3,480 | $41,670 | $47,860 | $51,660 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 3,340 | $41,670 | $47,700 | $51,390 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 3,270 | $45,400 | $49,310 | $58,060 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 3,090 | $47,940 | $54,490 | $62,110 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 3,080 | $47,480 | $55,820 | $62,050 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 3,010 | $47,220 | $51,270 | $60,120 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 2,970 | $52,320 | $63,360 | $78,150 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 2,920 | $42,520 | $46,430 | $58,760 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 2,680 | $37,310 | $49,280 | $62,250 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 2,310 | $45,990 | $55,640 | $62,300 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 2,280 | $49,210 | $52,950 | $62,490 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 2,160 | $46,460 | $53,740 | $61,630 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 2,080 | $46,150 | $53,550 | $63,890 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 2,080 | $46,150 | $53,550 | $63,890 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 2,060 | $71,790 | $76,240 | $79,850 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 1,970 | $72,890 | $76,240 | $79,850 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 1,930 | $37,780 | $43,000 | $48,010 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 1,700 | $49,380 | $55,820 | $64,360 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 1,610 | $39,840 | $45,920 | $57,150 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 1,250 | $45,460 | $51,000 | $56,380 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 1,150 | $48,000 | $48,560 | $54,190 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 1,130 | $38,900 | $44,430 | $53,300 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 1,050 | $49,890 | $49,890 | $57,760 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 1,030 | $47,710 | $57,730 | $63,340 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 830 | $43,830 | $49,700 | $58,530 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 790 | $43,970 | $53,730 | $62,670 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 760 | $59,620 | $64,980 | $70,660 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 640 | $37,790 | $46,370 | $55,860 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 630 | $38,110 | $46,680 | $55,990 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 550 | $44,500 | $49,970 | $57,750 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 480 | $43,680 | $49,190 | $59,020 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 470 | $69,140 | $99,570 | $106,940 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 470 | $69,140 | $99,570 | $106,940 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 450 | $45,080 | $49,610 | $57,750 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 410 | $60,560 | $65,520 | $69,910 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 400 | $46,640 | $50,160 | $63,460 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 350 | $43,990 | $49,050 | $55,480 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 350 | $42,640 | $46,390 | $57,370 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 340 | $46,420 | $51,630 | $62,980 |
| 337900 | Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 140 | $47,680 | $49,230 | $57,200 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 130 | $47,690 | $68,120 | $85,580 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 130 | $37,840 | $42,320 | $45,960 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 120 | $37,050 | $38,490 | $46,430 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 90 | $59,860 | $63,360 | $69,070 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 70 | $52,760 | $63,100 | $72,030 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 70 | $50,160 | $68,800 | $71,520 |
| 321100 | Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 60 | $47,010 | $54,020 | $65,790 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 50 | $67,840 | $72,840 | $76,900 |
| 311700 | Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | 50 | $59,800 | $61,400 | $62,580 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 40 | $40,490 | $45,260 | $51,590 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 30 | $52,980 | $67,610 | $83,540 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 30 | $61,750 | $67,540 | $78,980 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Sheet Metal Fabricator, write the straight-time rate separately from shift coverage and extra hours. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $45,580 | $51,000 | $61,610 |
| May 2025 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
What should you know about supervisory and worker occupations?
BLS publishes these as separate occupations. Pay for one is not a pay step for the other.
- Supervisor occupation: Production Supervisor pay (SOC 51-1011)
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about a move that can hold up?
Someone working in fabricators making enclosures, ductwork and equipment sheet-metal parts needs a clear reason to leave. If the answer depends on authority over sheet-metal layout and fabrication across cutting and forming operations that you cannot offer, that mismatch belongs in the conversation before an offer.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Sheet Metal Fabricator?
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the United States was $53,750 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,790 and $63,010.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $39,240. 90% earned less than $77,530.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Sheet Metal Fabricator at a plant?
Sheet Metal Fabricator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 416,210 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
Production Welder (MIG) pay TIG Welder pay Code Welder (ASME / Pressure Vessel) pay Robotic Welding Technician pay Press Brake Operator pay Sheet Metal Fabricator pay ranked across all metros Open jobs Sheet Metal Fabricator recruiting Check an offer for this role
What does this data mean for your opening?
Sheet Metal Fabricator roles are analyzed within the SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers occupation. The May 2025 national median is $53,750, a $2,750 increase from May 2024. The middle-band width is $16,220. These figures reflect the broader market and do not account for non-cash benefits or specialized fabrication bonuses that hiring managers might use to secure talent.
BLS data does not distinguish between general welding and specific sheet metal fabrication. Industry-level figures for Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing show a median of $99,570, while Chemical Manufacturing shows $76,240. These are national industry benchmarks and should be used as reference points only. When evaluating candidates, hiring managers must screen for skills like drawing interpretation and knowledge of bend allowances. These technical skills are the defining requirement for a fabricator and often go beyond the basic definition provided by the broad occupational data.
Comparison of the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands area and the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area provides regional insight. Houston reflects a median of $57,940 with a $24,990 middle-band width, while Dallas reports a median of $51,630 with a $16,490 middle-band width. These metros are selected for their high volume of occupation employment. A high location quotient, particularly in Houston at 1.8, shows deep industrial roots but does not guarantee the availability of candidates with your specific sheet metal fabrication requirements. Set your compensation based on the local market and the actual technical proficiency of the applicant, using these medians to ensure your pay scale is appropriately aligned with industry trends.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Is the SOC 51-4121 category too broad for Sheet Metal Fabricators?
Yes, it covers all welding, cutting, soldering, and brazing roles. You should use your own shop's practical assessment to verify sheet metal fabrication proficiency.
What is the best way to utilize the middle-band width?
The middle-band width shows the pay range of the middle 50% of workers in the occupation. Use this to ensure your salary offer is within a standard market competitive range.
Should I use the Petroleum and Coal industry median for my offer?
No, that industry median is a national average for all types of welding roles within that industry. It is not specific to sheet metal fabrication and should only be used as a high-level reference.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4