Prevailing Wage for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
The prevailing wage for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters is set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, covering Fabricators, Fitters, and related titles under SOC 51-2041. DOL establishes four experience-based wage levels, and the required floor shifts considerably depending on the worksite city your employer lists on the Labor Condition Application.
See all jobs for this roleLook up your work address
Entry-level Fabricators or Fitters with limited hands-on experience, typically performing routine tasks under close supervision. Workers at this level are still developing familiarity with blueprints, fitting procedures, and shop-floor safety standards.
Qualified Fitters with a few years of practical experience who work independently on standard assignments. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters, reflecting journeyman-level proficiency with blueprints and structural tolerances.
Experienced Metal Fabricators who handle complex assemblies, mentor junior workers, and troubleshoot fit-up problems without close supervision. Employers typically file at Level 3 for lead hands or senior fabricators in precision or heavy-industry settings.
Fully competent professionals who set quality standards, oversee structural fit-up across an entire project, and may supervise crews. Level 4 applies to senior Fitters or lead fabricators with broad authority over methods, materials, and workmanship decisions.
Prevailing Wage for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for this role
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Confirm your title maps to SOC 51-2041
Employers sometimes post roles as Layout Man, Mill Beam Fitter, or Ship Fitter. If your LCA files under a different SOC code, the prevailing wage floor changes entirely. Verify the SOC on the certified LCA before accepting an offer.
Watch for shipyard and heavy-fabrication metro gaps
Top-paying metros for this occupation concentrate in Pacific Northwest shipbuilding and California aerospace corridors, while Gulf Coast and Puerto Rico metros sit well below the national median. The worksite city on your LCA, not your employer's headquarters, determines which floor applies.
Exclude shift differentials when checking the floor
Overtime premiums and hazard-pay differentials are common in structural fabrication shops but cannot count toward satisfying the prevailing wage. Only guaranteed base wages and fixed allowances are included in DOL's compliance calculation for LCA purposes.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors with fabrication history
Migrate Mate filters for employers who have previously sponsored Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters, so you can focus on companies with a documented track record rather than contacting shops that have never filed an LCA for this occupation.
Jobs for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-2041.00 alongside Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Fabricator positions fall under SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Fitter Prevailing Wage
Fitter Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fitter for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Layout Man Prevailing Wage
Layout Man Prevailing Wage
Layout Man is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Metal Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Metal Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Metal Fabricator positions fall under SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Mill Beam Fitter Prevailing Wage
Mill Beam Fitter Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Mill Beam Fitter for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Ship Fitter Prevailing Wage
Ship Fitter Prevailing Wage
Ship Fitter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Small Parts Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Small Parts Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Small Parts Fabricator positions fall under SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Steel Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Steel Fabricator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Steel Fabricator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Structural Planner Prevailing Wage
Structural Planner Prevailing Wage
Structural Planner is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Structural Steel Fitter Prevailing Wage
Structural Steel Fitter Prevailing Wage
Structural Steel Fitter positions fall under SOC 51-2041.00 (Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters?
DOL derives prevailing wages from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which collect actual wages paid to workers in each occupation by metro area. OFLC then assigns four wage levels based on experience and complexity. Employers must select the level that matches the actual job duties and list that wage on the Labor Condition Application.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
The four levels run from Level 1 for entry-level Fabricators under close supervision up to Level 4 for fully competent lead Fitters with broad authority. Your level should reflect your actual duties, not just your years on the job. Review the certified LCA your employer filed with USCIS to confirm which level was selected, then compare it against your job description.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Fitter role vary so much between cities?
OFLC uses regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, so wages reflect what employers in each metro actually pay. A shipyard market in the Pacific Northwest drives local wages far above a Gulf Coast shop market. The LCA must list the actual worksite address, not the employer's main office, so the applicable floor is always the metro where the physical fabrication work happens.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
DOL will not certify an LCA that lists a wage below the prevailing wage for the assigned level and worksite. If certification is denied or later found non-compliant, USCIS can deny or revoke the associated H-1B or other sponsored-worker petition. The employer, not the worker, bears the legal obligation to pay at least the prevailing wage from the petition start date.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, selecting SOC code 51-2041 and the metro area matching your worksite. The result shows all four wage levels for that geography. You can also check O*NET for occupational context. Migrate Mate lets you filter Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters listings by location and see which employers have sponsored the role, helping you target offers in higher-wage metros.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters right now.
Search Jobs for this role