Also called: Custom Fabricator
Runs a business that builds custom metal products such as railings, trailers, truck racks, equipment frames and art.
You quote a staircase for a new restaurant in the morning, then lay out and tack-weld a trailer frame with your crew. In the afternoon you deliver a finished gate and take photos for your social media, which brings in most of your customers.
Highly variable; depends on business size and profit.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 8 years after high school. Usually years of welding and fabrication experience; no degree needed.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Apprenticeship, Trade school, Self-taught. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Welding Technology (trade school), Business.
Growing about average. Small business demand varies by region.
Low risk for 10 years. AI quoting and nesting software help; custom builds, customers and skilled crews stay human.
Classes: Welding CTE class, Business or accounting, Geometry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-1021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.