Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Machines can already do 22% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 61%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 22% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 61% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 52,360 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $51,330 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 63% for contact with people.
- Also called: Fabricator, Fitter, Layout Man, Metal Fabricator.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 17% | 20% to 60% | |
| Tack-weld fitted parts together | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Set up and operate fabricating machines, such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters, grinders, and drill presses, to bend, cut, form, punch, drill, or otherwise form and assemble metal components | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences | 6% | 55% to 85% | |
| Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Position or tighten braces, jacks, clamps, ropes, or bolt straps, or bolt parts in position for welding or riveting | 6% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills structural metal fabricators and fitters use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
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- Roofers46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $55,440
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of structural metal fabricators and fitters?
Machines can do 22% of the tasks of structural metal fabricators and fitters today and 61% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-2041.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/structural-metal-fabricators-and-fitters/