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Employment
Assemblers and fabricators held nearly 2 million jobs in 2004. They were found in almost every industry, but the vast majority, nearly 3 out of 4, were found in manufacturing. In addition, 9 percent of workers were employed by employment services firms, mostly as temporary workers. In all likelihood, many of these temporary workers were assigned to manufacturing plants. Wholesale and retail trade firms employed the next highest number of assemblers and fabricators. Team assemblers, the largest specialty, accounted for 62 percent of assembler and fabricator jobs. The distribution of employment among the various types of assemblers was as follows:Team assemblers 1,200,000 all other assemblers and fabricators 268,000 electrical and electronic equipment assemblers 221,000 structural metal fabricators and fitters 90,000 electromechanical equipment assemblers 52,000 engine and other machine assemblers 46,000 fiberglass laminators and fabricators 31,000 coil winders, tapers, and finishers 28,000 aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers 19,000 timing device assemblers, adjusters, and calibrators 3,300 within the manufacturing sector, assembly of transportation equipment, such as aircraft, autos, trucks, and buses, accounted for 19 percent of all jobs. Assembly of computers and electronic products accounted for another 11 percent of all jobs. Other industries that employ many assemblers and fabricators were machinery manufacturing (heating and air-conditioning equipment; agriculture, construction, and mining machinery; and engine, turbine, and power transmission equipment); electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing (lighting, household appliances, and electrical equipment); and fabricated metal products. The following tabulation shows wage and salary employment in manufacturing industries employing the most assemblers and fabricators in 2004. Transportation equipment manufacturing 387,000 computer and electronic product manufacturing 225,000 machinery manufacturing 193,000 fabricated metal product manufacturing 143,000 electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing 139,000
Earnings
Earnings vary by industry, geographic region, skill, educational level, and complexity of the machinery operated. Median hourly earnings of team assemblers were $11.42 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $9.12 and $14.60. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.56, and the highest 10 percent earned $18.80. Median hourly earnings in the manufacturing industries employing the largest numbers of team assemblers in May 2004 are shown below:Motor vehicle manufacturing$22.45 Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 12.91 Other wood product manufacturing 10.90 Plastics product manufacturing 10.54 Employment services 8.66 Median hourly earnings of electrical and electronic equipment assemblers were $11.68 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $9.54 and $14.84. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.01, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $18.64. Median hourly earnings in the manufacturing industries employing the largest numbers of electrical and electronic equipment assemblers in May 2004 are shown below:Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing$12.80 Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing 12.61 Electrical equipment manufacturing 12.55 Communications equipment manufacturing 11.61 Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing 11.02 In May 2004, other assemblers and fabricators had the following median hourly earnings:Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers$17.79 Engine and other machine assemblers 16.73 Structural metal fabricators and fitters 14.34 Timing device assemblers, adjusters, and calibrators 13.76 Electromechanical equipment assemblers 12.71 Coil winders, tapers, and finishers 12.24 Fiberglass laminators and fabricators 12.18 Assemblers and fabricators, all other 11.90 Many assemblers and fabricators are members of labor unions. These unions include the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America; the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; and the United Steelworkers of America.
Related Occupations
Other occupations that involve operating machines and tools and assembling products include welding, soldering, and brazing workers; and machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic. Assemblers and fabricators also are responsible for some quality control and product testing, as is the case for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers.
Common Lay Titles
Action Finisher
Action Installer
Ager
Air Bag Builder
Antenna Installer
Antisqueak Worker
Arm Rest Builder
Art Display Maker
Artificial Cherry Maker
Artificial Flower Maker
Artificial Pearl Maker
Assembler
Assembler Musical Equipment
Assembler, Aluminum Boats
Assembler, Atomizer
Assembler, Automobile
Assembler, Automobile Parts
Assembler, Balance
Assembler, Ballpoint Pens
Assembler, Barrel
Assembler, Bellows
Assembler, Bellows Charger
Assembler, Bench
Assembler, Bicycle
Assembler, Billet
Assembler, Billiard Table
Assembler, Bird Cage
Assembler, Blasting Cap
Assembler, Booster
Assembler, Bowling Ball
Assembler, Cable Mock Up
Assembler, Camera
Assembler, Camper
Assembler, Casket, Metal
Assembler, Clamp Jig
Assembler, Cosmetic
Assembler, Curtain Roller
Assembler, Curtain Stretcher
Assembler, Dater
Assembler, De Icer Kit
Assembler, Desk Pens
Assembler, Detonator
Assembler, Door
Assembler, Drapery Rod
Assembler, Ear Muff
Assembler, Faucets
Assembler, Filters
Assembler, Final
Assembler, Fireworks
Assembler, Fishing Floats
Assembler, Furniture
Assembler, Fuse
Assembler, Golf Club
Assembler, Hogshead Mat
Assembler, Hydraulic Chair
Assembler, Igniter
Assembler, Knife Setter
Assembler, Lamp Shade
Assembler, Liner
Assembler, Mechanical
Assembler, Mechanical Pencils
Assembler, Metal Furniture
Assembler, Mock Up
Assembler, Musical Instruments
Assembler, Oil Seal
Assembler, Organ
Assembler, Photo Tube
Assembler, Piano
Assembler, Precision Electronic Equipment
Assembler, Primer
Assembler, Production
Assembler, Production Line
Assembler, Propellant
Assembler, Reel
Assembler, Regulator
Assembler, Roller Skates
Assembler, Screw Eye
Assembler, Scroll
Assembler, Seater
Assembler, Shell
Assembler, Silk Screen Frame
Assembler, Silver Holloware
Assembler, Spring
Assembler, Stopperer
Assembler, Table
Assembler, Tank
Assembler, Toy
Assembler, Trailer
Assembler, Travel Trailer Components
Assembler, Traverse Rod
Assembler, Trombone Slide
Assembler, Trophy
Assembler, Truck
Assembler, Truss
Assembler, Unit
Assembler, Utility Bag
Assembler, Vacuum Bottle
Assembler, Venetian Blind
Assembler, Watch Band
Assembler, Wax Pattern
Assembling Machine Operator
Atomic Fuel Assembler
Auto Battery Builder
Auto Seat Cover Installer
Auto Slip Cover Installer
Auto Vinyl Top Installer
Awning Maker
Back Hanger
Baffle Installer
Baffle Mounter
Bait Maker
Ball Boy
Ball Holder
Ball Worker
Band Attacher
Band Top Maker
Barrel Cap Setter
Barrel Maker
Barrel Raiser
Barrel Straightener
Base Brander
Baser
Bead Builder
Bead Stringer
Bead Wrapper
Beader
Beading Installer
Bed Maker
Bed Spring Maker
Bell Maker
Belt Buckle Maker
Belt Molder
Bench Hand
Blind Lacer
Blindmaker
Boat Outfitter
Boat Wrapper
Body Builder
Body Fitter
Body Maker
Bottom Liner
Bow Maker
Box Boy
Box Maker, Paperboard or Wood
Box Spring Maker
Box Worker
Brass Wind Instrument Maker
Buckle Coverer
Buckle Gluer
Buckle Stringer
Bulldozer, Hand
Button Maker
Button Riveter
Cabinet Mounter
Cabinetmaker
Cable Maker
Camera Maker
Can Maker
Cane Splicer
Caner
Car Builder
Car Head Liner Installer
Car Seat Coverer
Cartridge Maker
Case Fitter
Casing Puller
Casing Tier
Casing Trimmer
Casket Maker, Metal
Cell Tuber, Hand
Chair Caner
Chair Frame Builder
Chair Maker
Chair Springer
Channel Installer
Clamp Carrier Operator
Clamp Operator
Clamper
Colleter
Coverer
Crate Builder
Crate Maker
Crutch Maker
Cushion Builder
Cushion Filler
Cushion Maker
Damper Fitter
Deadener
Deck Lid Fitter
Design Inserter
Desk Maker
Desolderer
Detailer
Detonator Maker
Dial Mounter
Dice Maker
Display Screen Fabricator
Doll Dresser
Doll Maker
Door Builder
Door Fitter
Door Frame Builder
Door Framer
Door Hanger
Door Liner
Door Paneler
Door Patcher
Doormaker
Drawer Fitter
Drawer Maker
Drawer Upfitter
Drip Molder
Dust Mop Maker
Earring Maker
Egg Processor
Elastic Tape Inserter
Electric Screw Driver Operator
Element Burner
Element Setter
End Maker
Explosive Operator
Fabricator, Assembling
Fabricator, Shower Doors and Panels
Favor Maker
Filament Maker
Filament Shaper
Final Assembly Worker
Finer
Finish Off Operator
Fireproof Door Maker
Fireworks Maker
Fitter
Flange Machine Operator
Fletcher
Flower Maker
Fly Finisher
Fly Maker
Fly Tier
Frame Builder
Frame Expander
Frame Maker
Framer
Framing Consultant
Furniture Fabricator
Furniture Installer
Furniture Maker
Gasket Winder
Glass Worker
Glue Clamp Operator
Grid Trimmer
Hair Spring Cutter
Hair Weaver
Handbag Framer
Handbag Operator
Hardener
Hardware Installer
Harmonica Maker
Harness Rigger
Harnessmaker
Harp Action Assembler
Headliner Installer
Helper, Core Maker
Hog Ringer
Hogshead Builder
Hogshead Cooper
Hood Fitter
Hood Maker
Hose Builder
Hose Maker
Housing Installer
Hub Bander
Installer, Interior Assemblies
Installer, Muffler
Insulation Blanket Maker
Insulator
Jig Builder
Jig Fitter
Joiner
Jointer
Keg Raiser
Kiln Furniture Caster
Knocker Off
Knockup Worker
Leak Hunter
Lens Matcher
Line Leader
Line Operator
Lineman
Liner
Liner Installer
Linker
Lure Maker
Machine Stuffer
Mainspring Former
Mainspring Winder
Major Assembler
Major Assembly Lineman
Mallet Cutter
Manufacturing Assembler
Mat Maker
Mattress Filler
Mattress Finisher
Mattress Maker
Mattress Renovator
Mattress Stuffer
Mattress Weaver
Medical Instrument Cable Fabricator
Metal Cabinet Finisher
Metal Container Maker
Metal Hanger
Metal Window Frame Maker
Meter Maker
Mica Paster
Mirror Framer
Mold Filler
Mounter
Operating Table Assembler
Organ Builder
Organ Pipe Maker, Metal
Overcoil Stepper
Overcoiler
Pad Hand
Pad Maker
Panel Maker
Paper Box Maker
Paper Novelty Maker
Papier Mache' Molder
Pearl Maker
Pearl Stringer
Pegger
Pen Maker
Pencil Maker
Piano Builder
Piano Maker
Picture Frame Maker
Picture Framer
Pipe Organ Installer
Piston Maker
Plastic Fabricator
Plastic Maker
Player Piano Technician
Plexiglas Former
Plier Worker
Plug Maker
Plywood Patcher
Pocket Machine Operator
Pocketbook Maker
Pot Builder
Power Screwdriver Operator
Prefabricator
Production Hand
Production Leader
Production Line Operator
Production Line Worker
Production Worker
Pulley Man
Pulley Worker
Purse Maker
Quarter Trimmer
Quilt Stuffer
Racquet Maker
Raiser
Range Mounter
Reed Maker
Reeler
Rod Hanger
Roller
Rubber Stamp Maker
Rush Seater
Safety Glass Installer
Sample Card Maker
Sample Mounter
Sample Paster
Sash Finisher
Sash Maker
Screen Door Maker
Screw Driver Operator
Seat Builder
Seat Cover Installer
Seat Coverer
Seat Installer
Seat Maker
Shade Bander
Sheet Turner
Ship Liner
Shock Absorber Installer
Sign Fabricator
Sign Maker
Small Parts Assembler
Sneller
Solar Fabrication Technician
Speaker Mounter
Spring Setter
Springer
Staker
Stamp Maker
Stem Maker
Stem Shaper
Storm Door Maker
Storm Sash Maker
Stove Fitter
Stove Mounter
Subassembler
Swatch Paster
Table Maker
Tank Cooper
Tanker
Tap Builder
Tap Puller
Tappet Adjuster
Television Antenna Installer
Thermometer Maker
Thermostat Maker
Tire Beader Maker
Top Installer
Trailer Assembler
Trim Attacher
Trim Installer
Trim Line Worker
Trimmer, Metal
Trombone Slide Assembler
Truss Maker
Tube Mounter
Tube Pusher
Umbrella Frame Maker
Upfitter
Valve Maker
Veneer Layer
Venetian Blind Maker
Vinyl Top Installer
Visor Installer
Weaver
Webber
Wheel Truer
Wicker Worker
Wig Maker
Window Assembler
Window Caser
Window Framer
Window Installer
Window Maker
Wire Frame Lampshade Maker
Wire Frame Maker
Wire Mesh Filter Fabricator
Wood Calker
Wood Repatcher
Wooden Box Maker
Woodworker
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