Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters Salary
The median pay for a structural metal fabricators and fitters in North Dakota is $54,430/year ($26.17/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $61,233 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 28.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $54K get you in North Dakota?
About structural metal fabricators and fitters
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in North Dakota
Structural metal fabricators and fitters pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $54K locally vs. $51K nationwide, a 6% difference. Rent runs $1,034/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Dakota
Entry-level structural metal fabricators and fitters (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K. Top earners bring in $62K or more, a $13K spread from bottom to top.
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters salary by metro in North Dakota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $55K | +2% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track structural metal fabricators and fitters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
Can a structural metal fabricators and fitter afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $54K, rent takes 27.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for structural metal fabricators and fitters in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new structural metal fabricators and fitters typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,909/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is structural metal fabricators and fitter a high-paying job in North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $54K locally vs. $51K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for structural metal fabricators and fitters?
North Dakota pays $54K median vs. the U.S. average of $51K — that’s +6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $61K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do structural metal fabricators and fitters make in North Dakota?
The median is $54,430 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,480, and experienced structural metal fabricators and fitters can clear $61,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,726/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 27.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a structural metal fabricators and fitters salary go in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median structural metal fabricators and fitters salary is worth about $61,233 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do structural metal fabricators and fitters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.