Apprentice Fabricator
Impact: Tangible, Direct
Learn to cut, shape, and assemble metal components to create structures or products under the supervision of experienced fabricators, utilizing blueprints, tools, and machinery to ensure quality and precision.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- Team-oriented
- Client facing
- Rarely
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Low
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- Full-time
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $45,000
- Entry-level
- $35,000
- Senior
- $60,000
- Growth by 2033
- Average
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- Moderate
- Typical student debt
- $10,000 - $25,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Blueprint Reading
- Welding
- Metal Fabrication
- Tool Operation
- Measurement
Soft skills
- Attention to Detail
- Problem-Solving
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Communication
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- High School Diploma or Equivalent; Vocational Training
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 3-5 years
- Years to senior
- 7-10 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Journeyman Fabricator, Welder, Shop Foreman, Project Manager
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Medium
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.5/10
- Meaning
- 3.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 3.5/10
- Prestige
- 5/10
- Social perception
- Moderate