Sheet Metal Fabricators

Are you curious about how things work? Do you enjoy creating things with your hands? Are you results oriented and physically fit? If so, you may want to consider a career as a sheet metal fabricator.

Sheet metal workers design, fabricate, assemble, install, and repair the sheet metal products required in a wide variety of industries and settings. Metal fabrication is a value added process that involves the construction of machines and structures from various raw materials. Sheet metal workers use many types of metal including black and galvanized steel, copper, brass, nickel, stainless steel, aluminum and more exotic materials to make products.

Aerospace sheet metal fabricators are employed by aircraft and spacecraft manufacturers, as well as aircraft maintenance and repair organizations. They acquire the knowledge, ability and attitude necessary to create and trace various patterns, cut out, making and assembling sheet and other metals; they perform sheet metal work relative to the aerospace industry.

Experienced sheet metal workers may become specialists in design and layout work or in estimating the cost of installations. They may advance to supervisory positions or go into business for themselves. Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $25 to $40 an hour plus benefits.