How much does a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator make?
The median miscellaneous assembler and fabricator in the United States earns $44,650 per year, about $21.47 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-2090.
Miscellaneous assembler and fabricator salary range
Pay for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,280 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $64,880. The average (mean) wage of $46,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,280 | $16.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,380 | $17.97 | |
| Median (50th) | $44,650 | $21.47 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $51,200 | $24.61 | |
| 90th percentile | $64,880 | $31.19 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators (SOC 51-2090), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Miscellaneous assembler and fabricator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators earn the most in District of Columbia at $50,330 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $36,990. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $50,330 | 80 |
| Hawaii | $49,630 | 420 |
| Alaska | $49,390 | 220 |
| Nevada | $49,050 | 11,290 |
| Iowa | $48,920 | 19,540 |
| Washington | $48,260 | 16,990 |
| Kentucky | $47,950 | 47,320 |
| California | $47,720 | 98,390 |
| North Dakota | $47,250 | 4,410 |
| New Hampshire | $46,940 | 6,130 |
| Minnesota | $46,920 | 44,810 |
| Oregon | $46,910 | 11,120 |
| Massachusetts | $46,720 | 11,600 |
| Missouri | $46,480 | 32,850 |
| Colorado | $46,150 | 9,180 |
| Maine | $45,970 | 3,910 |
| Ohio | $45,720 | 93,480 |
| Wisconsin | $45,670 | 46,360 |
| Indiana | $45,550 | 85,610 |
| South Carolina | $45,500 | 42,150 |
| Nebraska | $45,470 | 7,240 |
| Maryland | $45,450 | 6,880 |
| Kansas | $45,220 | 13,830 |
| Connecticut | $45,170 | 10,850 |
| Arizona | $45,080 | 23,540 |
| Louisiana | $45,070 | 3,400 |
| Montana | $44,940 | 1,510 |
| Virginia | $44,900 | 21,750 |
| Michigan | $44,690 | 112,310 |
| Tennessee | $44,630 | 58,760 |
| New York | $44,580 | 33,180 |
| Idaho | $44,210 | 5,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,160 | 57,780 |
| Illinois | $44,140 | 76,460 |
| Utah | $44,040 | 19,110 |
| Vermont | $43,980 | 1,380 |
| Delaware | $43,770 | 1,210 |
| South Dakota | $43,240 | 3,960 |
| Alabama | $42,700 | 53,280 |
| Wyoming | $40,720 | 1,200 |
| Oklahoma | $40,600 | 11,920 |
| Rhode Island | $40,590 | 2,790 |
| North Carolina | $40,330 | 46,670 |
| West Virginia | $39,850 | 3,480 |
| New Mexico | $39,340 | 1,550 |
| Mississippi | $39,070 | 16,800 |
| Florida | $38,410 | 42,060 |
| Texas | $38,320 | 93,650 |
| Georgia | $38,310 | 52,020 |
| New Jersey | $37,620 | 22,270 |
| Arkansas | $36,990 | 12,460 |
State median wages for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators (SOC 51-2090), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators
The BLS projects employment of miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,403,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,418,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 138,700 openings a year for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator
The typical entry-level education for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $50,330) and the lowest (Arkansas, $36,990) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,405,030 people work as miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators in the United States. At $44,650 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Miscellaneous assembler and fabricator salary FAQ
How much does a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator is $21.47. The middle half of miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators earn between $17.97 and $24.61 per hour.
What is the highest miscellaneous assembler and fabricator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators earn more than $64,880 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator make a year?
The median annual salary for a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator is $44,650. The average (mean) wage of $46,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator a well paid job?
At $44,650 a year, a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,405,030 people work as miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators in the United States.
Which state pays miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators at $50,330 a year. Hawaii ($49,630) and Alaska ($49,390) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator a good career?
Employment of miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 138,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a miscellaneous assembler and fabricator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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