Career Trends: Assemblers and Fabricators

Assemblers and fabricators assemble finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make engines, computers, aircraft, ships, boats, toys, electronic devices, control panels, and more.

Most assemblers and fabricators work in manufacturing plants. Some of the work may involve long periods of standing or sitting. Most work full time, and they sometimes work evenings and weekends.

The education level and qualifications needed to enter these jobs vary depending on the industry and employer. Although a high school diploma is enough for most jobs, experience and additional training is needed for more advanced assembly work.

Employment of assemblers and fabricators is projected to show little or no change from 2014 to 2024. Qualified applicants, including those with technical vocational training and certification, should have the best job opportunities in the manufacturing sector, particularly in growing, high-technology industries, such as aerospace and electro-medical devices.

This occupation supported 1,755,300 jobs in 2012 and 1,833,900 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 4.5%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 3.7% in 2022 to 1,819,499 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 1,768,100, compared with an observed value of 1,833,900, 3.7% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 0.5% in 2024 to 1,824,300 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 1,832,300 jobs for 2024, 0.4% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.