Best institutions to study Metal Fabricator
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to further process ferrous and/or non-ferrous metal plates or shapes, and to manufacture and/or install products as interpreted through technical drawings.
24 U.S. institutions graduated 588 Metal Fabricator students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 48.0511, a specialization of Precision Metal Working (CIP 48.05), and leads most directly to the Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters occupation (BLS SOC 51-2041).
About Metal Fabricator programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to further process ferrous and/or non-ferrous metal plates or shapes, and to manufacture and/or install products as interpreted through technical drawings. Includes instruction in trade tools, shop equipment, reading and interpreting blueprints, material handling, welding, thermal cutting, metallurgy, template pattern development, plate and structural fabrication, destructive and non-destructive testing, inspection, shipment preparation and fabrication installation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Metal Fabricator program, part of the Precision Metal Working field, prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in processing ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Students learn to manufacture and install products based on technical drawings, making this program ideal for those interested in hands-on work in metal fabrication and welding. This program is suited for individuals who enjoy working with tools and machinery, have a keen eye for detail, and are looking to build a career in a vital industry. With a focus on practical skills, graduates will be equipped to meet the demands of various roles in metal fabrication and related fields.
Students in the Metal Fabricator program gain core skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and reading comprehension. Coursework includes instruction in trade tools, welding, blueprint reading, and material handling, providing a comprehensive foundation for a career in metal fabrication.
Credentials awarded
What Metal Fabricator graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years259 graduates / yr · 13 institutions44%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year214 graduates / yr · 7 institutions36%
- Associate's degree104 graduates / yr · 7 institutions18%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.9%
Graduates over time
Metal Fabricator completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 125 |
| 2013 | 213 |
| 2014 | 267 |
| 2015 | 380 |
| 2016 | 410 |
| 2017 | 433 |
| 2018 | 601 |
| 2019 | 585 |
| 2020 | 656 |
| 2021 | 430 |
| 2022 | 413 |
| 2023 | 392 |
| 2024 | 552 |
| 2025 | 588 |
Top 24 institutions for Metal Fabricator, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Fab School Rancho Cucamonga, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 103 | 95% | $37,485 | $39,592 |
| 2 | Automeca Technical College - Ponce Ponce, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 70 | 73% | $4,319 | — |
| 3 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 65 | 44% | — | $43,380 |
| 4 | State Fair Community College Sedalia, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 48 | 44% | — | — |
| 5 | Automeca Technical College - Aguadilla Aguadilla, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 80% | $7,322 | — |
| 6 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 65% | — | $53,507 |
| 7 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PAPublicAssociate's | 34 | 71% | — | $52,298 |
| 8 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 81% | — | $28,983 |
| 9 | Madison Area Technical College Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 29% | — | $37,860 |
| 10 | Automeca Technical College - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 80% | $4,447 | — |
| 11 | Mountainland Technical College Lehi, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 84% | — | $42,032 |
| 12 | Mohawk Valley Community College Utica, NYPublicAssociate's | 18 | 38% | — | — |
| 13 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 28% | — | $41,132 |
| 14 | Automeca Technical College - Caguas Caguas, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 85% | $4,324 | — |
| 15 | Columbia Gorge Community College The Dalles, ORPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 29% | — | — |
| 16 | Southwest Technology Center Altus, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 78% | — | — |
| 17 | Atlantic Technical College Coconut Creek, FLPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 8 | 65% | — | — |
| 18 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 53% | — | $50,402 |
| 19 | Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 21% | — | $34,042 |
| 20 | Mid - State Technical College Wisconsin Rapids, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 52% | — | $38,653 |
| 21 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WIPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 3 | 50% | — | $48,638 |
| 22 | Helena College University of Montana Helena, MTPublicAssociate's | 2 | 33% | — | — |
| 23 | Nicolet Area Technical College Rhinelander, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 44% | — | — |
| 24 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 51% | — | $41,421 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Precision Metal Working field (CIP 48.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 13 states & territories
Where Metal Fabricator graduates come from. Each state links to all Precision Metal Working programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 4 | 144 | Automeca Technical College - Ponce70 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 7 | 137 | Waukesha County Technical College65 / yr |
| California | 1 | 103 | The Fab School103 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 48 | State Fair Community College48 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 39 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology34 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 2 | 37 | Tulsa Technology Center28 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 20 | Mountainland Technical College20 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 18 | Mohawk Valley Community College18 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 16 | Pima Community College16 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 12 | Columbia Gorge Community College12 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 8 | Atlantic Technical College8 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 4 | Grand Rapids Community College4 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 2 | Helena College University of Montana2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-2041, Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Metal Fabricator program can pursue careers as Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters. The job outlook indicates a decline of 16.3%, with approximately 4,100 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $49,900, and typical educational requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 48.0511
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fittersprimary SOC 51-2041 | $51,330 | -16.3% Decline | ~4,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Metal Fabricator programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes.
- Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
- Position, align, fit, and weld parts to form complete units or subunits, following blueprints and layout specifications, and using jigs, welding torches, and hand tools.
- Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.
- Tack-weld fitted parts together.
- Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes.
Tools and technology used
Other Precision Metal Working specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Precision Metal Working (CIP 48.05).
- Welding Technology/CIP 48.0508
Welder 64,198 graduates / yr911 institutions - Machine Tool Technology/CIP 48.0501
Machinist 3,489 graduates / yr228 institutions - Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CIP 48.0510
CNC Machinist 2,248 graduates / yr166 institutions - Machine Shop Technology/CIP 48.0503
Assistant 1,542 graduates / yr87 institutions - Tool and Die Technology/CIP 48.0507
Technician 423 graduates / yr35 institutions - Sheet Metal Technology/CIP 48.0506
Sheetworking 415 graduates / yr18 institutions - Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.0599296 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Ironworking/CIP 48.0509
Ironworker limited data102 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What types of credentials can I earn?+
You can earn an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, or an Associate's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 24 colleges in the U.S. offering the Metal Fabricator program.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, active listening, and reading comprehension.
What is the job outlook for metal fabricators?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 16.3%, with a median wage of $49,900.
What is the CIP code for Metal Fabricator?+
Metal Fabricator is CIP 48.0511 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Precision Metal Working (CIP 48.05). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to further process ferrous and/or non-ferrous metal plates or shapes, and to manufacture and/or install products as interpreted through technical drawings. Includes instruction in trade tools, shop equipment, reading and interpreting blueprints, material handling, welding, thermal cutting, metallurgy, template pattern development, plate and structural fabrication, destructive and non-destructive testing, inspection, shipment preparation and fabrication installation.
How many institutions offer Metal Fabricator programs?+
24 U.S. institutions reported Metal Fabricator graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states & territories, awarding 588 credentials in the year. That is 0.8% of all Precision Metal Working graduates.
How much do Metal Fabricator graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters occupation, which Metal Fabricator most directly leads to, pays a median of $51,330 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Precision Metal Working field report median earnings of $41,421 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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