Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using precise hand and finger movements to control tools, equipment, or materials.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
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. PayThe 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.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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.
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 They 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.
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.
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.
More Information
Learn more about assemblers and fabricators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.