Oregon Labor Market Information System
Occupational Information Center
Occupational Report for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (51-2041) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description

Fabricate, lay out, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products.

Employment Outlook for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Statewide Employment Analysis 2008 employment is estimated to be somewhat larger than the regional average. Regional employment is expected to decline in this occupation between 2008 and 2018. Total job openings are projected to be at about the regional average.

Despite declining employment, reasonable employment opportunities exist largely due to the need to fill replacement job openings.

Data Sources and Limitations
Current Employment Department Job Openings for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters There are 9 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 9 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Structural Steel Layout 6/28/10 Salem $22.00/hr to $24.00/hr DOE
Welder / Assembly 7/16/10 Roseburg DOE
Field Service Technician 7/7/10 Sherwood DOE
Skilled Welder/Fabricator of Stainless Steel 7/30/10 Canby $12.00/hr to $18.00/hr DOE
Welder 8/3/10 Portland $10.00/hr to $15.00/hr DOE, Neg.
Welder/Fitter 8/5/10 Lebanon DOE
Machinist / Fabricator 8/13/10 Salem $15.00/hr to $22.00/hr DOE
Fabricator - Temporary 8/17/10 Coos Bay DOE
Fabricator / Mechanic 8/25/10 Boring DOE, Neg.
Job Openings from the Web for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters There are no openings for this occupation.
State of Oregon License Information for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters No statewide license is required for this occupation.
Wages for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Region ---------------- 2010 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)
Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)
75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $12.49 $14.73 $18.19 $21.27 $23.86 $18.02 $37,483
Multnomah / Washington 14.00 16.59 19.99 22.30 24.26 19.34 40,232
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 13.22 15.48 17.75 19.75 22.91 18.02 37,486
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 15.32 17.18 19.65 23.74 27.61 20.38 42,402
Lane 12.27 13.66 15.45 18.51 23.32 16.72 34,763
Jackson / Josephine 12.94 14.37 16.97 20.20 23.40 17.28 35,953
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 9.88 15.00 18.00 21.68 24.21 17.84 37,106
Clackamas 14.06 16.94 19.86 22.19 24.77 19.63 40,835
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2008 2018 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 2,058 1,969 -89 -4.3% 0 42 42
Multnomah / Washington 629 615 -14 -2.2% 0 13 13
Lane 294 281 -13 -4.4% 0 6 6
Clackamas 255 252 -3 -1.2% 0 5 5
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 194 204 10 5.2% 1 4 5
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 119 127 8 6.7% 1 3 3
Morrow / Umatilla 105 75 -30 -28.6% 0 2 2
Jackson / Josephine 103 113 10 9.7% 1 2 3
Douglas 73 49 -24 -32.9% 0 1 1
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 58 66 8 13.8% 1 1 2
Coos / Curry 53 57 4 7.5% 0 1 2
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 16 17 1 6.2% 0 0 0
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 15 16 1 6.7% 0 0 0
Klamath / Lake 12 12 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Baker / Union / Wallowa 9 10 1 11.1% 0 0 0
Grant / Harney / Malheur 3 3 0 0.0% 0 0 0

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Educational Requirements for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Workers must have long-term on-the-job training to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with postsecondary training have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
  • Align Frame
  • Apply Independent Judgment In Assembly Procedures
  • Apply Machinist Practices
  • Apply Metal Forming And Shaping Techniques And Processes
  • Apply Quality Assurance Techniques
  • Apply Statistical Process Control (Spc)
  • Assemble Metal Components
  • Fabricate Beams
  • File Metal And Plastic
  • Fit Dowels
  • Hand Tap Metal, Wood Or Other Material
  • Identify Base Metals For Welding
  • Inspect Components During Manufacturing
  • Maintain Consistent Quality
  • Maintain Welding Machines And Equipment
  • Maneuver Heavy Objects
  • Operate Cranes, Hoists, Or Mechanical Booms
  • Operate Grinding Machines
  • Operate Machine Tools
  • Operate Precision Measuring Devices, Tools And Equipment
  • Operate Specialized Metal Shaping Machines
  • Operate Tube Or Conduit Bending Equipment
  • Perform Basic Assembly
  • Perform Combination Welding
  • Perform Repetitive Tasks In Assembly Setting
  • Read And Understand Operating Manuals
  • Read Blueprints And Technical Drawings
  • Read Production Layouts
  • Read Schematics And Specifications
  • Recognize Characteristics Of Metals Or Alloys
  • Sandblast Metal Parts And Objects
  • Set Up And Operate Drilling Machines
  • Set Up Specialized Machines For Metals Manufacturing
  • Smooth, Sharpen, Polish Or Grind Metal Objects
  • Solve Machine Tool Problems
  • Sort Raw Materials Used In Manufacturing
  • Sustain Output Levels Of Assembled Items
  • Understand Manufacturing Methods And Techniques
  • Use Acetylene Torch
  • Use Algebra
  • Use Geometry
  • Use Metal Forming Equipment Such As Shears, Brakes, And Roll
  • Use Metric System
  • Use X-Ray And Magnetic Inspection
  • Weld Metal Parts
Schools and Training Providers for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters The training providers listed below offer programs related to this occupation. This information is updated once per year. Anyone interested in a particular program should check with the training institution regarding its availability. Listing these training providers does not necessarily constitute or imply their endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the State of Oregon.

Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr NE
Salem, OR 97305
Phone: (503) 399-5000
Programs of Training:
Mt Hood Community College
26000 SE Stark St
Gresham, OR 97030
Phone: (503) 491-6422
Programs of Training:
Portland Community College
12000 SW 49th Avenue
Portland, OR 97219
Phone: (503) 244-6111
Programs of Training:
Apprenticeship Division
800 NE Oregon Street
Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (971) 673-0761
Programs of Training:
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters These Oregon community colleges have defined career pathway roadmaps to facilitate entry into this occupation:

Lane Community College
Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers 54%
Metal Workers And Plastic Workers, All Other 49%
Tool And Die Makers 48%
Drilling And Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, And Tenders, Metal And Plas 47%
Patternmakers, Metal And Plastic 47%
Model Makers, Metal And Plastic 47%
Lay-Out Workers, Metal And Plastic 46%
Machinists 45%
Milling And Planing Machine Setters, Operators, And Tenders, Metal And Plastic 41%
Tool Grinders, Filers, And Sharpeners 41%