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Assemblers and Fabricators

Summary

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Quick Facts: Assemblers and Fabricators
2025 Median Pay $45,450 per year
$21.85 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2025 1,799,500
Job Outlook, 2025–35 1% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2025–35 16,700

What Assemblers and Fabricators Do

Assemblers and fabricators build finished products and the parts that go into them.

Work Environment

Most assemblers and fabricators work in manufacturing plants. Their duties may involve long periods of standing or sitting. Most work full time, including some evenings and weekends.

How to Become an Assembler or Fabricator

The education and qualifications typically needed to enter these occupations vary by industry and employer. Although a high school diploma is enough for most jobs, experience and training are needed for advanced assembly work.

Pay

The median annual wage for assemblers and fabricators was $45,450 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of assemblers and fabricators is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 177,500 openings for assemblers and fabricators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for assemblers and fabricators.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of assemblers and fabricators with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about assemblers and fabricators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Assemblers and Fabricators Do About this section

Assemblers and fabricators
Assemblers and fabricators conduct quality checks for faulty components or mistakes in the assembly process.

Assemblers and fabricators build finished products and the parts that go into them. They use handtools and machines to make vehicles, toys, electronic devices, and more.

Duties

Assemblers and fabricators typically do the following:

  • Read and understand schematics and blueprints
  • Position or align components and parts either manually or with hoists
  • Use handtools or machines to assemble parts
  • Conduct quality control checks
  • Clean and maintain work area and equipment, including tools

Assemblers and fabricators need a range of knowledge and skills. For example, assemblers putting together complex machines must be able to read detailed schematics. After determining how parts should connect, they use handtools or power tools to trim, cut, and make other adjustments to fit components together. When the parts are properly aligned, they connect them with bolts and screws, or they weld or solder pieces together.

Assemblers look for faulty components and mistakes throughout the assembly process. Such assessments help to ensure quality by allowing assemblers to fix problems before defective products are made.

Modern manufacturing systems use robots, computers, and other technologies. These systems use teams of workers to produce entire products or components.

Assemblers and fabricators may also be involved in product development. Designers and engineers may consult manufacturing workers during the design stage to improve product reliability and manufacturing efficiency. Some experienced assemblers work with designers and engineers to build prototypes or test products.

Although most assemblers and fabricators are classified as team assemblers, others specialize in producing one type of product or in doing the same or similar tasks throughout the manufacturing process.

The following are examples of types of assemblers and fabricators:

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, missiles, or space vehicles. These parts include the wings, landing gear, and heating and ventilating systems.

Coil winders, tapers, and finishers roll wire curs of electrical components used in electric and electronic products, including resistors, transformers, and electric motors. Using handtools, these workers also attach and trim coils or insulation.

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers build products such as computers, electric motors, and sensing equipment. Unlike in industries with automated systems, much of the small-scale production of electronic devices for aircraft, military systems, and medical equipment must be done by hand. These workers use devices such as soldering irons.

Electromechanical equipment assemblers make and modify mechanical devices that run on electricity, such as household appliances, computer tomography scanners, and vending machines. These workers use tools such as rulers, rivet guns, and soldering irons.

Engine and machine assemblers construct and rebuild motors, turbines, and machines used in automobiles, construction and mining equipment, and power generators.

Fiberglass laminators and fabricators overlay fiberglass onto molds, forming protective surfaces for boat decks and hulls, golf cart bodies, and other products.

Structural metal fabricators and fitters cut, align, and fit together structural metal parts and may help weld or rivet the parts together.

Team assemblers rotate through different tasks on an assembly line, rather than specializing in a single task. Team members may decide how work is assigned and tasks are completed.

Timing device assemblers, adjusters, and calibrators manufacture or modify instruments that require precise measurement of time, such as clocks, watches, and chronometers.

Work Environment About this section

Assemblers and fabricators
Assemblers and fabricators work in plants and factories.

Assemblers and fabricators held about 1.8 million jobs in 2025. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up assemblers and fabricators was distributed as follows:

Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators 1,403,500
Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers, except coil winders, tapers, and finishers 246,300
Structural metal fabricators and fitters 52,300
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers 34,400
Engine and other machine assemblers 33,500
Fiberglass laminators and fabricators 16,300
Coil winders, tapers, and finishers 12,900
Timing device assemblers and adjusters 200

Some of the largest employers of assemblers and fabricators were as follows:

Transportation equipment manufacturing 25%
Machinery manufacturing 10
Temporary help services 9
Fabricated metal product manufacturing 9
Computer and electronic product manufacturing 8

Most assemblers and fabricators work in manufacturing plants, and working conditions vary by plant and by industry. Many physically difficult tasks, such as tightening massive bolts or moving heavy parts into position, have been automated or made easier through the use of power tools. Assembly work, however, may still involve long periods of standing, sitting, or working on ladders.

Injuries and Illnesses

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Injuries may result from incidents such as slips, falls, and overexertion. Workers reduce the risk of injury by following safety procedures and practices, such as wearing shoes with slip-resistant soles and using proper lifting technique.

Work Schedules

Most assemblers and fabricators work full time. Some assemblers and fabricators work in shifts, which may require evening, weekend, and night work.

How to Become an Assembler or Fabricator About this section

Assemblers and fabricators
Assemblers and fabricators usually receive training in a specialty area.

The education and qualifications typically needed to enter these occupations vary by industry and employer. Although a high school diploma is enough for most jobs, experience and training are needed for advanced assembly work.

Education

Assemblers and fabricators typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation.

Training

Workers typically receive several months of on-the-job training, sometimes including employer-sponsored technical instruction.

Skilled assemblers and fabricators may need special training or an associate’s degree, depending on the employer. For example, workers in electrical, electronic, and aircraft and motor vehicle products manufacturing typically need postsecondary education. Apprenticeship programs are also available.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Cerifications demonstrate competence and professionalism and may help a candidate advance in the occupation.

In addition, many employers, especially those in the aerospace and defense industries, require electrical and electronic assembly workers to have certifications in soldering. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.

Advancement

Experienced assemblers and fabricators may advance to become a supervisor or manager.

Important Qualities

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page.

Color vision. Assemblers and fabricators who make electrical and electronic products must distinguish different colors, because the wires they often work with are color coded.

Dexterity. Assemblers and fabricators should have a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination, as they must grasp, manipulate, and assemble parts and components that are often very small.

Mechanical skills. Assemblers and fabricators must have a working knowledge of basic machinery to use programmable motion-control devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor.

Physical stamina. Assemblers and fabricators must be able to stand for long periods and do repetitive tasks. Some assemblers, such as those in the aerospace industry, must frequently bend or climb ladders when assembling parts.

Physical strength. Assemblers and fabricators must be able to lift heavy components or pieces of machinery.

Technical skills. Assemblers and fabricators must understand technical manuals, blueprints, and schematics for manufacturing a range of products and machines.

Pay About this section

Assemblers and Fabricators

Median annual wages, May 2025

Total, all occupations

$50,980

Production occupations

$46,990

Assemblers and fabricators

$45,450

 

Note:
Data are from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The median annual wage for assemblers and fabricators was $45,450 in May 2025. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $67,440.

Median annual wages for assemblers and fabricators in May 2025 were as follows:

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers $65,380
Timing device assemblers and adjusters 62,620
Engine and other machine assemblers 53,710
Structural metal fabricators and fitters 51,330
Coil winders, tapers, and finishers 48,220
Fiberglass laminators and fabricators 46,880
Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers, except coil winders, tapers, and finishers 45,850
Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators 44,650

In May 2025, the median annual wages for assemblers and fabricators in some of the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Transportation equipment manufacturing $50,790
Machinery manufacturing 47,350
Computer and electronic product manufacturing 45,540
Fabricated metal product manufacturing 45,500
Temporary help services 36,860

Wages vary by industry, geographic region, skill, education level, and complexity of the machinery operated.

Most assemblers and fabricators work full time, and some work evenings and weekends.

Job Outlook About this section

Assemblers and Fabricators

Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35

Total, all occupations

3%

Assemblers and fabricators

1%

Production occupations

0%

 

Note:
Percent change in employment is rounded to the nearest whole number.
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Overall employment of assemblers and fabricators is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 177,500 openings for assemblers and fabricators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Projected employment of assemblers and fabricators varies by occupation (see table).

In general, employment of assemblers and fabricators is projected to decline or have limited growth because many manufacturing sectors are expected to become more efficient and able to produce more with fewer workers.

In most manufacturing industries, improved processes, tools, and automation will reduce job growth. Increasingly, new advances in robotics have enabled machinery to perform more complex and delicate tasks previously performed by workers. In addition, assemblers and fabricators are increasing efficiency by working alongside robots, also known as “collaborative robotics,” which may reduce the demand for some assemblers and fabricators.

Changes in the cost of operations both in the United States and abroad may encourage some manufacturers to bring back production that was previously sent offshore. However, because new facilities in the United States likely will incorporate more automation technologies, they may require less labor overall and may require workers to have high-level skills.

Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers are employed in fast-growing manufacturing industries, such as those that produce electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage batteries and semiconductors, and as a result, demand for these workers is expected to increase.

Employment projections data for assemblers and fabricators, 2025–35
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2025 Projected Employment, 2035 Change, 2025–35 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

Note:
Employment subcategories do not necessarily add to higher categories due to rounding.
Employment and projected employment change values are rounded to the nearest 100 or percent.
Data is unavailable for values denoted with a "—".
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Assemblers and fabricators

 — 1,799,500 1,816,200 1 16,700 —

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers

 51-2011 34,400 32,500 -6 -1,900 Get data

Coil winders, tapers, and finishers

 51-2021 12,900 12,400 -4 -500 Get data

Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers, except coil winders, tapers, and finishers

 51-2028 246,300 258,700 5 12,400 Get data

Engine and other machine assemblers

 51-2031 33,500 27,800 -17 -5,700 Get data

Structural metal fabricators and fitters

 51-2041 52,300 49,000 -6 -3,200 Get data

Fiberglass laminators and fabricators

 51-2051 16,300 17,000 5 800 Get data

Timing device assemblers and adjusters

 51-2061 200 200 -6 0 Get data

Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators

 51-2090 1,403,500 1,418,400 1 14,900 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at https://projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of assemblers and fabricators.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2025 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Boilermakers Boilermakers

Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.

 High school diploma or equivalent $76,410
calibration technologists and technicians Calibration Technologists and Technicians

Calibration technologists and technicians inspect, adjust, and test measurement devices against standards, such as those used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries.

 Associate's degree $67,820
Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights

Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights install, maintain, and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery.

 High school diploma or equivalent $64,100
Metal and plastic machine workers Metal and Plastic Machine Workers

Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces.

 See How to Become One $47,700
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join, repair, or cut metal parts and products.

 High school diploma or equivalent $53,750
Sheet metal workers Sheet Metal Workers

Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets.

 High school diploma or equivalent $61,800
Structural iron and steel workers Ironworkers

Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads.

 High school diploma or equivalent $61,910
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Assemblers and Fabricators,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/assemblers-and-fabricators.htm (visited August 27, 2026).

Last modified date: August 27, 2026

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2025 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2025, the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2025

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2025, which is the base year of the 2025–35 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2025-35

The projected percent change in employment from 2025 to 2035. The average growth rate for all occupations is 3 percent.

Employment Change, 2025-35

The projected numeric change in employment from 2025 to 2035.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2025-35

The projected numeric change in employment from 2025 to 2035.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2025 to 2035.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2025 to 2035.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2025 to 2035.

2025 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2025, the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.