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Occupation · SOC 51-2041

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

There are 52,360 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $51,330 a year. The most jobs are in Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
52,360
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$51,330
Median pay a year
Middle half: $45,610–$61,250
4,800
Annual openings
10-year change: −6.2%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 167 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $68,280 · LCA filings 02,290$68,2800
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $56,870 · LCA filings 02,240$56,8700
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $50,520 · LCA filings 01,580$50,5200
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $49,280 · LCA filings 01,170$49,2800
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $56,990 · LCA filings 0920$56,9900
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $48,150 · LCA filings 0870$48,1500
Mobile, ALMedian pay $66,820 · LCA filings 0780$66,8200
Baton Rouge, LAMedian pay $58,410 · LCA filings 0770$58,4100
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $48,110 · LCA filings 0750$48,1100
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $46,260 · LCA filings 0690$46,2600

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Bremerton–Silverdale–Port Orchard, WAEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$75,570300
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAEmployment 690 · LCA filings 0$68,3506900
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 2,290 · LCA filings 0$68,2802,2900
Mobile, ALEmployment 780 · LCA filings 0$66,8207800
Kingsport–Bristol, TN–VAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$66,110700

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $55,598 · Level III $62,275 · Level IV $68,931$48,942$55,598$62,275$68,931
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $50,835 · Level III $56,992 · Level IV $63,128$44,699$50,835$56,992$63,128
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $45,386 · Level III $52,166 · Level IV $58,947$38,605$45,386$52,166$58,947
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $44,117 · Level III $51,085 · Level IV $58,032$37,170$44,117$51,085$58,032
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $50,315 · Level III $56,534 · Level IV $62,774$44,075$50,315$56,534$62,774
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $46,072 · Level III $49,837 · Level IV $53,622$42,286$46,072$49,837$53,622
Mobile, ALLevel II $54,122 · Level III $59,883 · Level IV $65,666$48,339$54,122$59,883$65,666
Baton Rouge, LALevel II $48,235 · Level III $55,349 · Level IV $62,442$41,142$48,235$55,349$62,442
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $42,910 · Level III $48,402 · Level IV $53,893$37,419$42,910$48,402$53,893
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $47,466 · Level III $51,563 · Level IV $55,640$43,389$47,466$51,563$55,640

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in every metro area

All 167 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology