Jobs Similar to Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to structural metal fabricators and fitters, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic, Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders and Layout Workers.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters: $51,330 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
83% similar · $46,170 (−10%) · High school
- 2Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
81% similar · $50,270 (−2%) · High school
- 3Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
81% similar · $63,870 (+24%) · High school
- 4Riggers
80% similar · $62,640 (+22%) · High school
- 5Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
80% similar · $61,290 (+19%) · High school
- 6Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $52,800 (+3%) · High school
- 7Model Makers, Wood
80% similar · $56,550 (+10%) · Training or associate
- 8Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
80% similar · $47,920 (−7%) · High school
- 9Tire Builders
79% similar · $57,390 (+12%) · High school
- 10Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $43,960 (−14%) · High school
- 11Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
79% similar · $46,350 (−10%) · High school
- 12Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
79% similar · $46,170 (broader group) · High school
- 13Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
79% similar · $53,750 (+5%) · High school
- 14Foundry Mold and Coremakers
79% similar · $48,110 (−6%) · High school
- 15Furniture Finishers
79% similar · $44,540 (−13%) · High school
- 16Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
79% similar · $43,220 (−16%) · High school
- 17Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $49,080 (−4%) · High school
- 18Machine Feeders and Offbearers
78% similar · $41,220 (−20%) · High school
- 19Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
78% similar · $48,220 (−6%) · High school · Same group
- 20Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
78% similar · $46,330 (−10%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than structural metal fabricators and fitters.
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic81% similar · $63,870 (+24%)
- Riggers80% similar · $62,640 (+22%)
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons80% similar · $61,290 (+19%)
- Tire Builders79% similar · $57,390 (+12%)
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers79% similar · $53,750 (+5%)
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80% similar · $52,800 (+3%)
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for structural metal fabricators and fitters also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where structural metal fabricators and fitters is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (90)
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (89)
- Model Makers, Wood (87)
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic (87)
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers (86)
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing (86)
- Tire Builders (86)
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic (85)
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters (84)
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons (84)
Questions about jobs like structural metal fabricators and fitters
What jobs are most similar to structural metal fabricators and fitters?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic (83% similar), Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (81% similar), Layout Workers (81% similar), Riggers (80% similar) and Refractory Materials Repairers (80% similar).
Which jobs like structural metal fabricators and fitters pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Layout Workers ($63,870, +24%; usually a high school diploma), Riggers ($62,640, +22%; usually a high school diploma) and Refractory Materials Repairers ($61,290, +19%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with structural metal fabricators and fitters ($51,330). Without more preparation than structural metal fabricators and fitters usually need: Layout Workers, Riggers and Refractory Materials Repairers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.