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Entry Level Salary
$45,000
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National Median Pay
$52,000
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Real Go-Getters Make
$90,000+
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Source: Emsi, 2022
Responsibilities
- Understand shipyard operation and safety protocol
- Fitting, setting, and installing fabricated maritime structures
- Cutting and welding with a variety of processes
- Metal forming, bending, finishing, and rigging
- Ability to weld, repair, design, and layout plate or pipe materials
- Ability to work in shop/field environments and sometimes heights
Education & Training
Education and training that can lead to a successful career may include:
Minimum Education
Recommended Education
Advanced Education
Recommended Training
Advanced Training
Recommended Certification
Essential Skills
- Highly motivated and self-directed
- Flexible and able to work in a team environment or independently
- Physically fit and manual dexterity
- Comfortable working with heights
- Mechanically inclined, able to interpret blueprints, and apply math concepts
Work Environment
Shipfitters work in naval or shipyard environments; nearly all opportunities exist along the coastal regions.
Career Spotlight
Jason Hammer, a welding apprentice at Rhoads Industries explains how he got his start in welding and it has unfolded into a successful career working as a welder in the shipyard. Click the video below to see more.
Want to see more career spotlight videos? Check all of them out Here!
The heat map below showcases the total number of job postings for Shipfitters in the last twelve months by state. As shown, the darker the color of the state, the higher the concentration of job postings. The heat map is intended to provide insight into areas where Shipfitter careers are currently in demand.
Top Industries
Transportation
Similar Careers
Want to explore other careers that have similar work environments, education, training, and responsibilities?
- Underwater Welder
- Heavy Equipment Welder
- Ironworker