Shipfitter: metro pay ranking

At Skilled Trades Headhunters, this is what we do all day: recruit skilled trades professionals.

Skilled Trades Headhunters compares published medians for SOC 51-2041 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters, not estimated offers for this particular title.

Which metros publish the highest and lowest medians?

This ranking uses the May 2025 annual median for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters. It is not adjusted for living costs. A metro is a BLS statistical area, not just the city limits. Top-coded or suppressed medians are not ranked.

Highest and lowest published metro medians
Metro	Median	Employment	Location quotient	Trade median / all-occupations median
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$75,570	30	1.04	1.20
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$68,350	690	1.33	1.16
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$68,280	2,290	1.51	1.25
Mobile, AL	$66,820	780	13.4	1.42
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	$66,110	70	1.79	1.46
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$65,980	520	0.74	0.91
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$65,850	60	1.01	1.36
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$65,500	230	0.29	0.88
Albany, OR	$65,420	50	3.36	1.32
Portland-South Portland, ME	$64,760	590	6.1	1.14
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$64,350	440	0.48	0.97
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$64,230	420	1.03	1.06
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$63,920	50	2.8	1.07
Savannah, GA	$63,420	30	0.45	1.34
Evansville, IN	$63,120	230	5.04	1.36
Utica-Rome, NY	$62,910	50	1.18	1.28
Salem, OR	$62,090	60	0.91	1.12
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$61,910	90	1.58	1.20
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$60,950	130	1.46	1.12
Green Bay, WI	$60,930	170	2.96	1.22
St. Cloud, MN	$60,460	110	3.18	1.19
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	$60,200	50	1.22	1.24
Fort Wayne, IN	$60,180	200	2.66	1.26
Worcester, MA	$60,050	90	0.74	1.04
Idaho Falls, ID	$59,960	70	2.45	1.28
Corpus Christi, TX	$59,590	50	0.84	1.31
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$59,470	100	0.75	1.15
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$59,460	90	0.91	1.21
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$59,270	110	1.81	1.24
New Haven, CT	$58,760	130	1.41	0.98
Kansas City, MO-KS	$58,540	120	0.33	1.15
Jackson, TN	$58,490	80	2.88	1.31
Madison, WI	$58,490	390	2.85	1.01
Baton Rouge, LA	$58,410	770	5.58	1.20
Vallejo, CA	$58,360	40	0.85	1.00
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$58,260	310	0.48	0.98
Wausau, WI	$58,220	80	3.54	1.19
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$58,020	390	0.37	0.82
Ogden, UT	$57,980	100	1.05	1.19
Syracuse, NY	$57,700	100	0.99	1.09
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$57,560	190	0.93	0.96
Cleveland, OH	$57,550	110	0.32	1.15
Winchester, VA-WV	$57,430	60	2.47	1.22
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$57,240	250	0.91	1.12
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$56,990	920	0.44	1.02
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$56,870	2,240	0.7	0.93
Reno, NV	$56,310	40	0.41	1.13
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	$56,290	40	0.36	1.13
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI	$55,940	40	1.48	1.14
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$55,750	480	1.3	1.13
Boise City, ID	$55,720	130	0.95	1.13
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$55,600	50	0.37	1.11
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$55,550	340	2.25	1.17
Springfield, MA	$55,550	50	0.69	1.07
Bismarck, ND	$55,270	40	1.63	1.05
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$55,250	380	1.64	1.14
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$54,840	640	0.66	1.01
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$54,180	120	0.28	0.95
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$54,100	40	1.33	1.00
Tulsa, OK	$54,060	430	2.81	1.16
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$54,030	170	0.45	1.08
Colorado Springs, CO	$54,030	40	0.35	1.03
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$53,990	190	0.2	1.06
Lynchburg, VA	$53,940	80	2.59	1.17
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$53,880	320	1.25	1.09
Omaha, NE-IA	$53,360	120	0.74	1.07
Appleton, WI	$52,800	50	1.19	1.06
Reading, PA	$52,780	60	1.01	1.07
HVAC manufacturers-Hanover, PA	$52,700	160	2.56	1.09
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	$52,660	170	3.15	1.08
Greeley, CO	$52,480	40	0.9	0.95
Birmingham, AL	$52,330	430	2.44	1.10
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$52,290	390	1.91	1.12
Wichita, KS	$51,800	80	0.79	1.09
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	$51,590	230	1.57	1.11
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$51,540	530	1.44	1.02
Pittsburgh, PA	$51,510	230	0.63	1.04
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$51,300	80	0.32	0.99
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$51,280	160	1.04	0.88
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$51,210	50	0.47	1.08
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$51,120	180	0.33	0.82
commercial-vehicle manufacturers-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$51,090	530	0.82	0.98
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$50,750	330	0.71	1.02
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	$50,740	60	1.95	1.32
Knoxville, TN	$50,720	400	2.78	1.08
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$50,620	80	0.67	1.03
Albuquerque, NM	$50,550	180	1.31	1.05
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$50,520	1,580	1.43	1.02
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$50,510	120	1.35	0.99
Columbus, OH	$50,340	230	0.63	0.98
Richmond, VA	$50,290	200	0.92	0.98
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$50,200	200	0.55	0.84
St. Louis, MO-IL	$50,170	200	0.45	1.00
Cedar Rapids, IA	$50,100	70	1.45	1.01
Decatur, AL	$50,040	100	4.83	1.08
Elkhart-Goshen, IN	$49,960	410	9.5	1.04
Tuscaloosa, AL	$49,920	110	3.14	1.10
Spartanburg, SC	$49,690	80	1.52	1.04
Muncie, IN	$49,670	50	3.5	1.13
Lincoln, NE	$49,500	80	1.32	0.99
Lancaster, PA	$49,390	230	2.74	1.02
Urban Honolulu, HI	$49,390	50	0.31	0.86
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$49,350	120	0.89	1.00
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$49,280	1,170	0.86	0.96
Montgomery, AL	$49,190	70	1.29	1.09
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$49,020	160	0.43	1.04
Akron, OH	$48,850	50	0.46	1.00
Winston-Salem, NC	$48,590	150	1.64	1.05
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	$48,570	350	0.73	1.04
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	$48,530	40	0.84	1.07
Rockford, IL	$48,310	100	2.23	1.03
Peoria, IL	$48,250	230	4.05	0.97
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$48,150	870	1.08	0.94
Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	$48,130	130	1.25	1.00
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$48,110	750	0.79	0.99
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$48,080	180	1.93	1.03
Lebanon, PA	$47,990	40	1.96	1.03
Fort Smith, AR-OK	$47,780	50	1.53	1.21
St. George, UT	$47,780	70	2.38	1.06
Rochester, NY	$47,760	140	0.82	0.93
Erie, PA	$47,670	60	1.42	1.07
Greensboro-High Point, NC	$47,470	130	1.09	1.02
Youngstown-Warren, OH	$47,360	50	0.95	1.08
Sheboygan, WI	$47,290	90	4.63	0.91
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	$47,240	120	1.12	1.01
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$47,060	260	1.3	0.99
Longview, TX	$47,040	40	0.88	1.04
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$46,960	310	1.13	0.85
Columbia, SC	$46,910	130	0.98	1.01
Florence, SC	$46,880	70	2.29	1.08
Waco, TX	$46,730	70	1.54	1.02
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$46,690	320	0.71	0.79
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$46,630	110	0.94	0.98
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$46,610	120	1.41	0.95
Jacksonville, FL	$46,520	290	1.13	0.95
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA	$46,380	410	14.6	1.02
Kokomo, IN	$46,380	30	2.8	0.95
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	$46,330	350	0.71	0.95
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$46,260	690	1.19	0.96
Johnson City, TN	$46,010	60	2.13	1.06
San Angelo, TX	$46,010	70	3.99	1.06
Ocala, FL	$45,840	100	2.49	1.04
Terre Haute, IN	$45,790	80	3.74	1.02
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	$45,770	60	4.73	1.09
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$45,750	80	3.14	0.97
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	$45,740	130	3.03	0.98
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	$45,570	100	1.41	1.01
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	$45,560	210	2.39	0.99
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	$45,470	60	0.9	0.98
Port St. Lucie, FL	$45,310	80	1.33	0.97
Niles, MI	$45,270	50	2.23	0.98
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	$45,160	150	2.77	1.04
Saginaw, MI	$45,080	50	1.89	0.98
Oklahoma City, OK	$45,030	180	0.8	0.95
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	$44,730	140	2.61	1.23
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$44,560	40	0.69	0.90
Topeka, KS	$43,930	50	1.18	0.89
Lafayette, LA	$43,830	370	6.11	1.05
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	$43,430	180	1.46	0.95
Jackson, MS	$42,470	90	1	0.99
El Paso, TX	$40,690	40	0.35	1.03
Gadsden, AL	$39,940	30	3.02	1.09
Dothan, AL	$38,620	80	4.15	1.01
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	$37,010	60	0.57	1.03
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$35,900	100	0.26	0.77
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA	$29,770	70	2.07	0.68
Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL	$29,640	Not published by BLS	Not published by BLS	0.66
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	$29,320	30	0.15	1.00

The wage ratio is simple arithmetic: this occupation's median divided by the all-occupations median in the same area and unit. It is not a cost-of-living measure. Location quotient describes the concentration of employment, not relative pay. Neither predicts what a particular candidate will accept.

Where does this trade pay most relative to local wages?

Occupation median divided by the same area's all-occupations median
Area	Wage ratio	Median	Location quotient
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	1.46	$66,110	1.79
Mobile, AL	1.42	$66,820	13.4
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	1.36	$65,850	1.01
Evansville, IN	1.36	$63,120	5.04
Savannah, GA	1.34	$63,420	0.45
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	1.32	$50,740	1.95
Albany, OR	1.32	$65,420	3.36
Corpus Christi, TX	1.31	$59,590	0.84
Jackson, TN	1.31	$58,490	2.88
Utica-Rome, NY	1.28	$62,910	1.18
Idaho Falls, ID	1.28	$59,960	2.45
Fort Wayne, IN	1.26	$60,180	2.66
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	1.25	$68,280	1.51
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI	1.24	$60,200	1.22
Sioux Falls, SD-MN	1.24	$59,270	1.81
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	1.23	$44,730	2.61
Winchester, VA-WV	1.22	$57,430	2.47
Green Bay, WI	1.22	$60,930	2.96
Stockton-Lodi, CA	1.21	$59,460	0.91
Fort Smith, AR-OK	1.21	$47,780	1.53
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	1.20	$61,910	1.58
Baton Rouge, LA	1.20	$58,410	5.58
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	1.20	$75,570	1.04
Wausau, WI	1.19	$58,220	3.54
St. Cloud, MN	1.19	$60,460	3.18
Ogden, UT	1.19	$57,980	1.05
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	1.17	$55,550	2.25
Lynchburg, VA	1.17	$53,940	2.59
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	1.16	$68,350	1.33
Tulsa, OK	1.16	$54,060	2.81
Kansas City, MO-KS	1.15	$58,540	0.33
Cleveland, OH	1.15	$57,550	0.32
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	1.15	$59,470	0.75
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI	1.14	$55,940	1.48
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	1.14	$55,250	1.64
Portland-South Portland, ME	1.14	$64,760	6.1
Boise City, ID	1.13	$55,720	0.95
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	1.13	$56,290	0.36
Reno, NV	1.13	$56,310	0.41
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	1.13	$55,750	1.3
Muncie, IN	1.13	$49,670	3.5
Salem, OR	1.12	$62,090	0.91
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	1.12	$57,240	0.91
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	1.12	$52,290	1.91
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	1.12	$60,950	1.46
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	1.11	$55,600	0.37
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	1.11	$51,590	1.57
Tuscaloosa, AL	1.10	$49,920	3.14
Birmingham, AL	1.10	$52,330	2.44
Montgomery, AL	1.09	$49,190	1.29
HVAC manufacturers-Hanover, PA	1.09	$52,700	2.56
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	1.09	$53,880	1.25
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV	1.09	$45,770	4.73
Gadsden, AL	1.09	$39,940	3.02
Syracuse, NY	1.09	$57,700	0.99
Wichita, KS	1.09	$51,800	0.79
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	1.08	$52,660	3.15
Youngstown-Warren, OH	1.08	$47,360	0.95
Decatur, AL	1.08	$50,040	4.83
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	1.08	$51,210	0.47
Knoxville, TN	1.08	$50,720	2.78
Florence, SC	1.08	$46,880	2.29
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	1.08	$54,030	0.45
Omaha, NE-IA	1.07	$53,360	0.74
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC	1.07	$48,530	0.84
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	1.07	$63,920	2.8
Erie, PA	1.07	$47,670	1.42
Springfield, MA	1.07	$55,550	0.69
Reading, PA	1.07	$52,780	1.01
St. George, UT	1.06	$47,780	2.38
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	1.06	$64,230	1.03
Johnson City, TN	1.06	$46,010	2.13
Appleton, WI	1.06	$52,800	1.19
San Angelo, TX	1.06	$46,010	3.99
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	1.06	$53,990	0.2
Albuquerque, NM	1.05	$50,550	1.31
Bismarck, ND	1.05	$55,270	1.63
Lafayette, LA	1.05	$43,830	6.11
Winston-Salem, NC	1.05	$48,590	1.64
Spartanburg, SC	1.04	$49,690	1.52
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	1.04	$49,020	0.43
Ocala, FL	1.04	$45,840	2.49
Longview, TX	1.04	$47,040	0.88
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	1.04	$48,570	0.73
Elkhart-Goshen, IN	1.04	$49,960	9.5
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS	1.04	$45,160	2.77
Worcester, MA	1.04	$60,050	0.74
Pittsburgh, PA	1.04	$51,510	0.63
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	1.03	$50,620	0.67
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	1.03	$37,010	0.57
Lebanon, PA	1.03	$47,990	1.96
El Paso, TX	1.03	$40,690	0.35
Chattanooga, TN-GA	1.03	$48,080	1.93
Rockford, IL	1.03	$48,310	2.23
Colorado Springs, CO	1.03	$54,030	0.35
Lancaster, PA	1.02	$49,390	2.74
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	1.02	$51,540	1.44
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	1.02	$50,520	1.43
Terre Haute, IN	1.02	$45,790	3.74
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	1.02	$56,990	0.44
Greensboro-High Point, NC	1.02	$47,470	1.09
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA	1.02	$46,380	14.6
Waco, TX	1.02	$46,730	1.54
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	1.02	$50,750	0.71
Cedar Rapids, IA	1.01	$50,100	1.45
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	1.01	$45,570	1.41
Dothan, AL	1.01	$38,620	4.15
Columbia, SC	1.01	$46,910	0.98
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	1.01	$47,240	1.12
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	1.01	$54,840	0.66
Madison, WI	1.01	$58,490	2.85
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	1.00	$49,350	0.89
St. Louis, MO-IL	1.00	$50,170	0.45
Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	1.00	$48,130	1.25
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	1.00	$54,100	1.33
Akron, OH	1.00	$48,850	0.46
San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR	1.00	$29,320	0.15
Vallejo, CA	1.00	$58,360	0.85
Lincoln, NE	0.99	$49,500	1.32
Jackson, MS	0.99	$42,470	1
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	0.99	$50,510	1.35
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	0.99	$47,060	1.3
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	0.99	$48,110	0.79
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	0.99	$45,560	2.39
Raleigh-Cary, NC	0.99	$51,300	0.32
Niles, MI	0.98	$45,270	2.23
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	0.98	$45,470	0.9
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	0.98	$46,630	0.94
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI	0.98	$45,740	3.03
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	0.98	$58,260	0.48
commercial-vehicle manufacturers-Warren-Dearborn, MI	0.98	$51,090	0.82
Columbus, OH	0.98	$50,340	0.63
New Haven, CT	0.98	$58,760	1.41
Richmond, VA	0.98	$50,290	0.92
Saginaw, MI	0.98	$45,080	1.89
Port St. Lucie, FL	0.97	$45,310	1.33
Peoria, IL	0.97	$48,250	4.05
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	0.97	$45,750	3.14
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	0.97	$64,350	0.48
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	0.96	$57,560	0.93
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	0.96	$49,280	0.86
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	0.96	$46,260	1.19
Oklahoma City, OK	0.95	$45,030	0.8
Greeley, CO	0.95	$52,480	0.9
Jacksonville, FL	0.95	$46,520	1.13
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	0.95	$54,180	0.28
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	0.95	$46,610	1.41
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR	0.95	$43,430	1.46
Kokomo, IN	0.95	$46,380	2.8
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	0.95	$46,330	0.71
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	0.94	$48,150	1.08
Rochester, NY	0.93	$47,760	0.82
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	0.93	$56,870	0.7
Sheboygan, WI	0.91	$47,290	4.63
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	0.91	$65,980	0.74
Eugene-Springfield, OR	0.90	$44,560	0.69
Topeka, KS	0.89	$43,930	1.18
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	0.88	$65,500	0.29
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	0.88	$51,280	1.04
Urban Honolulu, HI	0.86	$49,390	0.31
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	0.85	$46,960	1.13
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	0.84	$50,200	0.55
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	0.82	$51,120	0.33
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	0.82	$58,020	0.37
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	0.79	$46,690	0.71
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	0.77	$35,900	0.26
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA	0.68	$29,770	2.07
Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL	0.66	$29,640	Not published by BLS

Broader occupation Our title "Shipfitter" is reported by BLS as SOC 51-2041 Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters. BLS groups Shipfitter within Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.

National percentile table Methodology