what is a fabricator?
A fabricator is a key worker in the manufacturing field. The parts that go into products, from cars to card readers, are produced to exact specifications. Meeting those specifications is a fabricator's job.
Although your responsibilities as a fabricator will vary depending on where you work, they all centre around producing the parts that go into a finished product. Fabricators traditionally create metal products by cutting, shaping, joining and finishing the metal, but many also work with other materials.
Fabrication is extremely detail-oriented, so if you enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes from getting the fine points right, it might be the ideal job for you.
fabricators in different industries
Because a fabricator's job is to produce components, you can work in various industries, from mining and resources to manufacturing and construction companies. Fabricators in the automotive and aerospace industries create parts for vehicles. Meanwhile, fabricators in other fields produce the components used to make buildings, bridges or other infrastructure projects.
Manufacturing replacement parts for existing items is another aspect of a fabricator's role. Wherever your career as a fabricator takes you, you'll use various technical and engineering skills to produce high-quality components.
view vacanciesaverage fabricator salary
As a fabricator, you earn a median salary of $75,000 per year. The remuneration package varies depending on your experience and skills. When starting as an apprentice, your salary begins at $65,000 annually. The remuneration package increases as you improve your skills and experience in the role. The highest-paid fabricators take home over $85,000 yearly.
how to increase your salary as a fabricator
The main factors that affect the earnings of a fabricator are experience and qualifications. When you are an apprentice with entry-level skills, you attract a lower salary. As you build your expertise and learn new skills, your earnings increase gradually. Fabricators with over five years of experience have higher remuneration packages due to their additional skills.
The industry you work in also affects your earnings. When you work for metalworks and welding companies, you are likely to earn less than fabricators working in vehicle or aircraft assembly. Vehicle manufacturing companies pay more due to the complexity of the tasks. Large companies also have more resources, so they can afford to pay higher salaries.
Want to know what you will earn as a fabricator? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of fabricators
As a fabricator, you have various areas of specialisation. For instance, you can specialise in aircraft assembly. Your duties include fabricating the overall structure of an aircraft, including installing parts of space vehicles, missiles and aeroplanes. You work on the metallic parts of the aircraft.
When building electrical products, fabricators also use robotic machines to undertake intricate tasks with metal. Whether you are building control devices, electric motors or computers, you use hand tools and machines to ensure they function properly. Electrical fabricators also work on military systems and medical equipment.
As a fabricator, you assemble and modify electromechanical devices. You use multiple tools, like rivet guns and soldering irons, to assemble household appliances.
working as a fabricator
Working as a fabricator means taking a product from the initial design to finished components, ready to be assembled. To achieve this goal, you combine technical skills with coordination and attention to detail. The final result is creating components and products that meet the designer's specifications. Discover the specific duties of fabricators.
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fabricator job description
A fabricator turns raw materials into finished components or products using various skills. In most fabricator roles, this means working with metal. The details of the process vary depending on your workplace. However, common duties of fabricators include:
- reading blueprints and technical drawings: as a fabricator, you create various products from metal. Before you build an item, you read the technical drawings and check the blueprints to understand the specifications. It is also important to correct the dimensions, especially when creating the smaller parts of an item.
- adapting the metal to fit the purpose: as a fabricator, you work on various projects that require sizing and adapting the material to suit the intended function. You cut, roll, bend and mould metal to fit the specific dimensions. Sometimes, you heat or hammer metal products to prepare them for assembly.
- operating machines and tools: you use multiple hand tools and machines to accomplish your tasks. For instance, you use welding equipment to join metal parts and structures. Sometimes, you work with computer-controlled machines to create intricate designs that require precision.
- treating metal: as a fabricator, you treat metal when assembling the parts to harden and strengthen it. Treating metal with acidic solutions or applying protective coatings makes it less wear-resistant. If the metal parts are used in high-pressure environments, you apply a protective coating to prevent wear.
- polishing and cleaning metal: after fabrication, you treat the metal and polish the product. You also clean the metal and package it for shipping. Sometimes, you also add decorated coatings to make the metal pieces more aesthetically pleasing.
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work environment
Fabrication work environments vary from small workshops to large factories. Many are busy and noisy, with multiple tasks going on at once. Are you able to maintain concentration and stay alert in fast-moving situations? Your attention to your surroundings and ability to keep up in a fast-paced workplace will be beneficial in keeping you and your colleagues working safely.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include welders, warehouse workers and CNC operators. You might also be working in close proximity to maintenance technicians and boilermakers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, laser operators, maintenance engineers and mechanical fitters.
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work schedule
Work schedules for fabricators vary in every workplace. Many fabricator jobs have typical work schedules that fit into conventional office hours. However, in busy environments or when deadlines loom, you work as part of a shift system, meaning you work evenings or weekends.
If your responsibilities as a fabricator include repairs, short-notice jobs lead to unpredictable working hours. The different schedules available for fabricators allow you to choose working hours that are right for you.
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job outlook
If you have experience in fabrication and want a new challenge, you can move on from fabrication in different ways. Fabricators' skills overlap with those of welders, so transitioning into a metalworking career is possible, such as metal inert gas (MIG) or tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. If you want to use your creativity to develop products rather than build them, fabrication is a gateway into product design. Another potential career path is a move into management, supervising a team of fabricators or running a workshop.
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advantages of finding a fabricator job through randstad
Finding your fabricator job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a fabricator is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
While traditionally fabricators work with metal, you will also work on product design and development. Hence, you require qualifications in a relevant trade background. Complete a trade background in welding, boilermaking or light fabrication. In some industries, you require qualifications in engineering and strong maths and English skills. Consider pursuing a relevant qualification, such as a Certificate III in engineering (fabrication trade). You can complete the qualification with a registered training organisation (RTO) in conjunction with an apprenticeship and on-the-job training.
Ensure you have the relevant licences to work as a fabricator. For instance, if you plan to work in the construction industry, you require a White Card, which shows you are conversant with work safety. You can also specialise in various aspects of the job, like becoming a metal fabricator-welder, brass finisher or structural steel trades worker.
fabricator skills and competencies
As a fabricator, you require the following skills and competencies:
- maths skills: as a fabricator, getting the correct dimensions of the metal pieces is crucial. Hence, you require good maths skills to ensure accurate measurements, especially when cutting smaller pieces fitted into bigger ones.
- hand dexterity and steady hands: as a fabricator, your job involves cutting and fixing minor defects using your hands. Having a steady hand helps you work on complex projects that require using hand-operated power tools.
- physical fitness: you work long hours in diverse outdoor environments. The role also involves bending and moving items. Using hand-operated machines also requires physical strength and manual dexterity.
- communication skills: as a fabricator, you work with multiple professionals to assemble product parts. You require communication skills to help you explain concepts to other team members and listen to people's ideas.
- attention to detail: as a fabricator, you work with fine metal parts and repair structural defects. Your detail-oriented skills are important since you rely on your good eye to check if anything is missing.
FAQs about working as a fabricator
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a fabricator.
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is a fabricator a welder?
The roles of fabricators and welders overlap in many ways. As a fabricator, it is important for you to understand and be able to use welding technology. As a result, many jobs advertise themselves as "welder-fabricator" roles. However, although welding is important, it's only one technique in fabrication, alongside forging, cutting and more.
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what is meant by fabrication work?
Fabrication is the production of components used to make products such as vehicles, buildings or electronics. It isn't the same as product design, which is a related but separate field. Fabrication work is also different from assembly; assemblers create finished products from the parts fabricators make.
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what skills do I need as a fabricator?
As a fabricator, you use dexterity and coordination to ensure precise work. You also rely on your knowledge of various techniques for cutting, shaping, joining, and finishing metal and other materials. Modern fabrication processes also require familiarity with product design software and similar digital tools.
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how do l become a metal fabricator?
To become a fabricator, you require a Certificate III in fabrication and the completion of an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship helps you gain the expertise required to operate machines.
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is fabricator a good career?
A career in the metal industry is promising and offers great opportunities for growth. Fabricators have a high demand and a good job projection over the next five years.
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how do I apply for a fabricator vacancy?
Applying for a fabricator job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
