Free fabricator job description templates: general, metal, welder-fabricator, structural, custom shop, and fitter. OSHA and FLSA ready. Download as DOCX.
6 free templates for general, metal, welder, structural, custom shop, and fitter roles, with the FLSA non-exempt and OSHA welding and machine-guarding guidance the generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
A fabricator cuts, forms, welds, and assembles metal parts and products from blueprints, turning raw stock into finished components. For a small or custom fabrication shop, hiring one well is a high-stakes decision: the work is skilled and safety-critical, good fabricators are hard to find, and the job description sets the type of work, the certifications, and the safety expectations from the start.
These six templates cover the most common versions of the role: general fabricator, metal fabricator, welder-fabricator, structural or steel fabricator, a custom shop version for a small business, and a fabricator-fitter. Each is ready to use, with the FLSA non-exempt classification and OSHA safety guidance the generic templates leave out. For the fundamentals behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion.
TL;DR
A fabricator cuts, forms, welds, and assembles metal from blueprints. The role is hourly and non-exempt under the FLSA, so overtime applies over 40 hours a week. Shop safety is governed by OSHA welding (Subpart Q) and machine guarding (29 CFR 1910.212), and welder qualification is certified by the employer. The closest federal occupation reports a median wage near $51,000 a year. Download six templates as DOCX, by type, with the compliance built in.
What a Fabricator Does
A fabricator builds metal parts and products from raw stock: reading blueprints, laying out and cutting material, forming and bending, welding, and assembling finished components to spec. The work is hands-on and skilled, and proper technique and safety directly affect quality and the well-being of the crew.
Fabricator duties cluster into four areas: reading and layout, cutting and forming, welding and assembly, and inspection and safety. A strong job description picks the specific responsibilities from each area that match your shop and material, rather than listing every possible task.
Read and lay out
Read blueprints, drawings, and weld symbols
Measure, mark, and lay out material
Plan cuts and material use
Cut and form
Cut, grind, drill, and bend metal
Form and shape with brake, roll, or press
Operate saws, shears, and grinders
Weld and assemble
Weld with MIG, TIG, stick, or flux-core
Fit, tack, and assemble parts
Build to spec and tolerance
Inspect and stay safe
Verify fit, dimensions, and quality
Follow OSHA and shop safety standards
Wear required PPE at all times
For a fitter the work centers on layout and fit-up; for a welder-fabricator it extends to heavy welding and finishing. For a structured way to scope the role to your shop, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by the type of fabrication and the setting. The core structure is the same across all six, but each one emphasizes the duties, equipment, and certifications that fit a specific kind of fabricator role. Use this guide to choose the closest fit, then adjust.
General Fabricator
Any shop
The all-purpose version: cut, form, weld, and assemble metal from blueprints. Start here if the role fits a general fabricator.
Metal Fabricator
Production and custom
For metal shops: layout, cutting, forming, welding, and assembly with a focus on tolerances and clean welds.
Welder-Fabricator
Weld plus fabricate
For roles that combine strong welding skill with full fabrication, from prep and fit-up to finished, inspected welds.
Structural / Steel
Construction, industrial
For structural steel: beams, columns, and connections from shop drawings, often with rigging and heavy material.
Custom / Shop
Small business, no HR
For a small or family-owned custom shop: varied, start-to-finish work across jobs and materials, wearing several hats.
Fabricator-Fitter
Fit-up and assembly
For fit-up focused roles: layout, fitting, and tacking assemblies to tolerance to prepare them for final welding.
Match the Template to the Work
General shop work? Start with General Fabricator. Production or custom metal parts? Metal Fabricator. Heavy welding plus fabrication? Welder-Fabricator. Structural steel for construction? Structural / Steel. A small or family-owned custom shop? Custom / Shop. Fit-up and assembly focused? Fabricator-Fitter. When in doubt, the General Fabricator version is the baseline to adapt.
6 Free Fabricator Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: company and job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, a classification note, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, metal, welder-fabricator, structural, custom shop, and fitter. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: General Fabricator
The all-purpose version: cut, form, weld, and assemble metal from blueprints. Start here for a general fabricator role in any shop.
General Fabricator Job Description
FABRICATOR JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: __ (Shop Lead / Foreman / Owner)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your shop, the kind of work you do, and the team the
fabricator will join. Note shift, overtime, and whether the work is custom or
production.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Fabricator to cut, form, weld, and assemble metal parts
and products from blueprints and work orders. You will measure and lay out
material, operate shop equipment, and build finished parts to spec and to quality
and safety standards. This is a hands-on role for a skilled, safety-focused worker.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and work orders
•Measure, mark, and lay out metal stock for cutting and forming
•Cut, grind, drill, bend, and shape metal to specification
•Weld and assemble parts using [MIG / TIG / stick] as required
For metal shops: layout, cutting, forming, welding, and assembly with a focus on tolerances and clean welds. Use this for production or custom metal work.
Metal Fabricator Job Description
METAL FABRICATOR JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: Shop Lead / Foreman
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Metal Fabricator to build metal parts and products from
raw stock. You will read blueprints, lay out and cut material, form and weld
components, and assemble finished products to spec. A precise, safety-focused metal
worker who takes pride in clean welds and tight tolerances is ideal.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Read blueprints, weld symbols, and fabrication drawings
•Lay out, measure, and cut sheet, plate, tube, and bar stock
•Form and bend metal using a press brake, roll, or related tools
•Weld with [MIG / TIG / stick / flux-core] to spec
•Grind, finish, and assemble fabricated parts
•Verify dimensions and tolerances with measuring tools
•Operate and maintain shop equipment safely
•Follow OSHA and shop safety standards and wear required PPE
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent
•Metal-fabrication and welding experience
•Strong blueprint reading and shop math
•Experience with shop equipment (shears, brakes, saws, grinders)
•Physically able to stand, lift [50] lbs, and work in a shop
•[AWS Certified Welder or D1.1 a plus]
CLASSIFICATION AND HOW TO APPLY
This is an hourly, non-exempt role with overtime over 40 hours a week.
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Still Using Spreadsheets for Onboarding?
Automate documents, training assignments, task management, and track onboarding progress in real time.
For roles that combine strong welding skill with full fabrication, from prep and fit-up to finished, inspected welds. Use this when the hire both welds and fabricates.
Welder-Fabricator Job Description
WELDER-FABRICATOR JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: Shop Lead / Welding Supervisor
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Welder-Fabricator to both weld and fabricate metal
parts and assemblies. You will read blueprints, lay out and prep material, run
quality welds, and assemble finished products. This role combines strong welding
skill with full fabrication ability, from raw stock to finished part.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Weld using [MIG / TIG / stick / flux-core] per blueprint and weld symbols
•Read fabrication drawings and lay out material
•Cut, grind, bend, and form metal to specification
•Fit and tack assemblies before final welding
•Inspect welds for quality, penetration, and appearance
•Physically able to stand, lift [50] lbs, and work in awkward positions
•[AWS Certified Welder / D1.1 preferred]
CERTIFICATION NOTE
Welder qualification to a code is certified by the employer. Plan to test and
document the welder's qualification for the processes and positions your work
requires, and keep those records on file. This is general information, not legal
advice.
CLASSIFICATION AND HOW TO APPLY
This is an hourly, non-exempt role with overtime over 40 hours a week.
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 4: Structural / Steel Fabricator
For structural steel: beams, columns, and connections from shop drawings, often with rigging and heavy material. Use this for construction and industrial steel work.
Structural / Steel Fabricator Job Description
STRUCTURAL / STEEL FABRICATOR JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: Shop Foreman / Fabrication Lead
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Structural / Steel Fabricator to fabricate structural
steel components such as beams, columns, plates, and assemblies from shop drawings.
You will lay out, cut, fit, and weld heavy steel to spec for [construction /
industrial] projects, working to code and tolerance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Read structural shop drawings and detail sheets
•Lay out, measure, and cut structural steel members
•Fit, tack, and weld beams, columns, and connections
For a small or family-owned custom shop: varied, start-to-finish work across jobs and materials, wearing several hats. Use this when you need a versatile fabricator.
For fit-up focused roles: layout, fitting, and tacking assemblies to tolerance to prepare them for final welding. Use this when accurate fit-up is the core of the job.
Fabricator-Fitter Job Description
FABRICATOR-FITTER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __
Reports to: Shop Lead / Foreman
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Fabricator-Fitter to fit up and assemble metal
components for welding. You will read blueprints, lay out parts, fit and tack
assemblies to tolerance, and prepare them for final weld. Precise fit-up is the
core of this role, so accuracy and blueprint skill matter most.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Read blueprints, weld symbols, and assembly drawings
•Lay out, measure, and mark parts for fit-up
•Fit, align, and tack components to tolerance
•Use jigs, fixtures, squares, and levels for accurate assembly
•Cut, grind, and prep material as needed
•Verify fit, dimensions, and squareness before welding
•Operate shop equipment safely and follow OSHA standards
•Wear required PPE and keep the work area safe
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•High school diploma or equivalent
•Strong blueprint reading and layout skills
•Fit-up and tack-welding experience
•Detail-oriented with good shop math
•Physically able to stand, lift [50] lbs, and work in a shop
•[Fabrication or welding certification a plus]
CLASSIFICATION AND HOW TO APPLY
This is an hourly, non-exempt role with overtime over 40 hours a week.
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
FLSA, OSHA, and Certifications
This is the part the generic templates skip, and it is the part that matters most for a fabricator hire: the straightforward FLSA classification, the OSHA standards that govern a shop, and the certifications worth requiring. Get these right and your posting attracts qualified candidates and protects your shop.
FLSA: a fabricator is hourly and non-exempt
The classification is straightforward and important to state in the posting. Fabrication and welding are manual, skilled-trade work that does not meet the duties test for the executive, administrative, or professional exemptions, so a fabricator is non-exempt and entitled to overtime at one and a half times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. The Department of Labor is explicit that blue-collar workers are entitled to minimum wage and overtime no matter how highly paid. Because shop work often runs overtime, track hours carefully and budget for the overtime premium. Some states, including California and New York, add their own overtime rules on top of the federal standard. This is general information, not legal advice.
OSHA welding and machine guarding define shop safety
Two OSHA areas drive a fabrication shop. Welding, cutting, and brazing is governed by 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Q, which covers ventilation, fire watch, fire prevention, and training so that cutters and welders are suitably trained in the safe operation of their equipment. Separately, machine guarding under 29 CFR 1910.212 requires point-of-operation guarding on shears, press brakes, saws, and grinders, and machine guarding is consistently one of OSHA's most-cited standards year after year. Name the safety expectations in the posting so candidates know the shop runs to standard, and build the training into onboarding rather than leaving it to chance. This is general information, not legal advice.
Fumes and hexavalent chromium need controls
Welding generates fumes that OSHA regulates. The air contaminants standard, 29 CFR 1910.1000, sets exposure limits, and welding on stainless steel and certain alloys can produce hexavalent chromium, covered by 29 CFR 1910.1026 with a permissible exposure limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter as an eight-hour average. Practically, that means ventilation, fume extraction where needed, and respiratory protection for the right jobs. A small shop does not get a pass on these rules, so factor exposure controls and any required monitoring into how you set up the work. This is general information, not legal advice.
Certifications are employer-verified, not licenses
Fabrication is not a licensed trade, but certifications matter and are worth tracking. Welder qualification to a code, such as the structural welding code, is certified by the employer through testing for the specific processes and positions the work requires, and those qualification records should be kept on file. Industry certifications like AWS Certified Welder, AWS D1.1 for structural welding, and OSHA 10 or 30 signal a qualified candidate. State which certifications you require versus prefer, and plan to test and document welder qualifications as part of onboarding. This is general information, not legal advice.
Fabricator roles start from blueprint reading, hands-on metalworking and welding skill, and the physical ability to do shop work, with certifications as a plus or a requirement depending on the work. Scale the requirements to the type and seniority.
Requirement
What to look for
Education
High school diploma or equivalent; trade training a plus
Blueprints
Read drawings, weld symbols, and shop math
Skills
Cutting, forming, welding (MIG, TIG, stick), and assembly
Equipment
Saws, shears, press brake, drill, and grinders
Certifications
AWS Certified Welder or D1.1 where the work requires
Physical
Stand, lift around 50 lbs, and work in a shop environment
Classification
Non-exempt, hourly; overtime over 40 hours a week
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Fabricator Pay
Fabricators are paid hourly, with pay varying by skill, certifications, region, and the type of work. Set your range using government data as a baseline, then adjust for your local market.
Median Near $51,000 a Year (BLS)
The closest federal occupation, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, had a median annual wage of $51,000 in May 2024, about $24.52 an hour, with the lowest 10 percent under $38,130 and the highest 10 percent over $75,850 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The broader assemblers and fabricators group had a median annual wage of about $43,570.
Pay tends to run higher for certified welders, structural work, and skilled custom fabrication. The welders occupation employs about 457,300 people and is projected to grow about 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 45,600 openings a year, so a competitive, transparent hourly range helps a small shop attract skilled fabricators in a tight labor pool.
Hiring a Fabricator for a Small Shop
A large manufacturer hires fabricators through a dedicated HR and safety team. A small or family-owned shop does not. The owner or a shop lead writes the posting, screens applicants, tests welds, and onboards the new hire, often between running jobs. For related trades, the same pattern holds, which is why hiring a welder or a machinist shares the same challenge. Here is how to write the posting for that reality.
The template farms write for big manufacturers; you run a small shop
Most published fabricator job descriptions are thin, generic one-pagers written with large manufacturing plants in mind. A small or family-owned fabrication shop hires differently: the owner or a shop lead writes the posting, screens applicants, and trains the new hire between running jobs. The custom / shop version above is written for exactly that, a versatile fabricator who handles varied work start to finish rather than one repeated task on a production line. Pick the version that matches your shop, fill in the brackets, and post, instead of forcing a plant's job description onto a six-person crew.
The compliance is real even in a small shop
A small fabrication shop carries the same core safety obligations as a large one. Welding falls under OSHA Subpart Q, machine guarding under 1910.212 applies to your shears, brakes, and grinders, and welding fumes and hexavalent chromium have their own limits. None of that scales down because the building is small. The advantage a small employer has is that it is simpler to set up a safety-training and PPE process once and keep it current, which is exactly what a structured onboarding does. State the safety expectations in the posting and handle the training before the first job, not after an incident.
Onboarding a fabricator is where the paperwork and safety get handled
Whichever fabricator template you use, the work after hiring is ordinary people operations made specific by a shop: a signed offer letter that names the hourly rate and non-exempt status, the new hire paperwork, PPE issuance, a safety orientation covering welding and machine guarding, and welder qualification testing and records. FirstHR fits this people side for a small shop: e-signature for the offer letter, document management for AWS and OSHA certificates and welder qualification records, training modules for safety onboarding, and task workflows for the new-hire compliance checklist. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a shop-floor or safety-management system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer and a shop-specific onboarding. Because fabrication is covered by OSHA and skilled workers are in demand, a smooth, repeatable process pays off every time you hire.
Send the offer
Confirm the role, hourly rate, non-exempt status, shift, and start date in writing. An offer letter template makes this fast for a shop role.
Run the new-hire checklist
I-9 and W-4, PPE issuance, and any background check, tracked as a task workflow so nothing is missed before the first job.
Train on safety before the first job
Welding (Subpart Q), machine guarding, and PPE orientation, plus equipment training, with a signed acknowledgment on file.
Test and store certifications
Test and document welder qualifications, and keep AWS and OSHA certificates organized in document management.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step, and an onboarding template gives the new hire a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, paperwork, e-signatures, safety-training acknowledgments, certification records, and onboarding workflow in one place so a small shop can manage the full process from one system. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not a shop-floor or safety-management tool, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
A fabricator cuts, forms, welds, and assembles metal from blueprints, distinct from a welder who mainly joins metal.
Use the template that matches the work: general, metal, welder-fabricator, structural, custom shop, or fitter.
A fabricator is hourly and non-exempt under the FLSA, with overtime over 40 hours a week.
Shop safety runs on OSHA welding (Subpart Q) and machine guarding (29 CFR 1910.212), plus fume and hexavalent chromium controls.
Welder qualification is certified by the employer; name which AWS or OSHA certifications you require versus prefer.
Use BLS data as a baseline: the closest federal occupation reports a median near $51,000 a year, about $24.52 an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a fabricator do?
A fabricator cuts, forms, welds, and assembles metal parts and products from blueprints and work orders. Day to day, that means reading drawings and weld symbols, measuring and laying out material, cutting and grinding, bending and forming on a press brake or roll, welding with processes like MIG, TIG, or stick, fitting and assembling parts, and inspecting finished work for fit, tolerance, and quality. Fabricators operate shop equipment such as saws, shears, press brakes, and grinders, and they follow OSHA and shop safety procedures while wearing personal protective equipment. The exact mix varies by shop: a metal fabricator builds general parts, a welder-fabricator combines heavy welding with fabrication, a structural fabricator works on steel for construction, and a custom shop fabricator handles varied one-off jobs.
What is the difference between a fabricator and a welder?
They overlap, but they are not the same. A welder's core job is joining metal with welding processes such as MIG, TIG, stick, or flux-core. A fabricator builds the whole part, which usually includes reading blueprints, laying out and cutting material, forming and bending, fitting and assembling, and often welding as one step among several. Many shops hire a welder-fabricator who does both: strong welding plus full fabrication from raw stock to finished part. When you write the job description, name which you need. If the role is mostly joining prepped parts, that is a welder. If it runs from blueprint to finished assembly, that is a fabricator or welder-fabricator. The welder-fabricator template on this page covers the combined role.
Is a fabricator exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A fabricator is non-exempt and paid hourly. Fabrication and welding are manual, skilled-trade work that does not meet the duties test for the executive, administrative, or professional exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, so a fabricator is entitled to overtime pay at one and a half times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The Department of Labor is explicit that blue-collar workers are entitled to minimum wage and overtime no matter how highly paid. Because shop work commonly runs overtime, employers should track hours carefully and budget for the overtime premium. Some states, including California and New York, set additional overtime rules that apply on top of the federal standard. This is general information, not legal advice.
What OSHA standards apply to a fabrication shop?
Two areas drive shop safety. Welding, cutting, and brazing fall under OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Q, which addresses ventilation, fire watch, fire prevention, and the requirement that cutters and welders be suitably trained in the safe operation of their equipment. Machine guarding under 29 CFR 1910.212 requires point-of-operation guarding on shears, press brakes, saws, and grinders, and it is consistently one of OSHA's most-cited standards. Welding fumes are regulated under the air contaminants standard, 29 CFR 1910.1000, and welding on stainless steel can produce hexavalent chromium, covered by 29 CFR 1910.1026 with a permissible exposure limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. Personal protective equipment requirements under 1910.132 and 1910.133 also apply. This is general information, not legal advice.
Does a fabricator need a certification or license?
Fabrication is not a licensed trade, but certifications matter and are worth requiring or preferring. Welder qualification to a code, such as the AWS structural welding code D1.1, is certified by the employer through testing for the specific processes and positions the work requires, and those qualification records should be kept on file. Common industry certifications include AWS Certified Welder, AWS D1.1 for structural welding, AISC certifications for fabrication shops, and OSHA 10 or 30 for safety. State clearly in the posting which certifications you require versus prefer, since a structural job may need D1.1 while a general shop may only prefer it. Plan to test and document welder qualifications as part of onboarding. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a fabricator make?
Fabricators are paid hourly, with pay varying by skill, certifications, region, and the type of work. The closest federal occupation, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, had a median annual wage of $51,000 in May 2024, which is about $24.52 an hour, with the lowest 10 percent under $38,130 and the highest 10 percent over $75,850. The broader assemblers and fabricators group had a median annual wage of about $43,570. Pay tends to run higher for certified welders, structural work, and skilled custom fabrication, and higher in states with higher wages overall. The field employs about 457,300 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, with roughly 45,600 openings projected each year. For a posting, benchmark to your local market and post a competitive hourly range. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should a fabricator job description include?
A strong fabricator job description names the type of fabrication up front, whether general, metal, welder-fabricator, structural, custom shop, or fitter, and includes a short company summary, a job summary that makes the hands-on scope clear, and responsibilities grouped into reading and layout, cutting and forming, welding and assembly, and inspection and safety. It should list real requirements such as blueprint reading, welding processes, shop equipment experience, the physical demands, and any AWS or OSHA certifications you require versus prefer. State the FLSA non-exempt, hourly classification and a competitive pay range. The most valuable additions that generic templates skip are the safety expectations, OSHA welding and machine guarding, PPE, and welder qualification, plus an equal opportunity statement and clear apply instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a metal, structural, and sheet metal fabricator?
They share core fabrication skills but differ by material and setting. A metal fabricator is the general version, building parts and products from sheet, plate, tube, and bar stock across many jobs. A structural or steel fabricator works on heavier structural members such as beams, columns, and connections for construction and industrial projects, often involving rigging, overhead cranes, and structural welding codes like AWS D1.1. A sheet metal fabricator focuses on thinner-gauge work such as ductwork, panels, and enclosures, sometimes on the construction side as a sheet metal worker. Because the material, equipment, and codes differ, name the specific type in the job description so you attract candidates with the right experience. The structural template on this page covers steel fabrication. This is general information, not legal advice.
