Fabricate or install products made from thin metal sheets. Sample positions:

• Fabrication Sheet Metal Workers
• Installation Sheet Metal Workers
• Maintenance Sheet Metal Workers

Requires: Construction – learn trade through apprenticeship. Manufacturing – learn on-the-job or at technical school.

Outlook: 2% job growth expected in the U.S., about 11,500 openings annually.

Set up and operate equipment to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.

Requires: High school diploma plus on-the-job training OR training and apprenticeship programs, vocational school OR community/ technical colleges.

Outlook: About 35,400 openings expected annually in the U.S.

Install, maintain, and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery.

• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Machinery Maintenance Workers
• Millwrights

Requires: High school diploma plus one-year on-the-job training. Most millwrights do a 4-year apprenticeship program.

Outlook: 15% job growth projected in the U.S., about 53,000 openings annually. STL MSA had 2X more postings than national avg. in Q4 2024.

Use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join, repair, or cut metal parts and products.

Requires: High school diploma/GED plus on-the-job training.

Outlook: 2% job growth projected in the U.S., about 45,800 openings annually. STL MSA had 9% more openings than national avg. in Q4 2024.

Manufacture a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates. Sample positions:

• Cabinetmakers
• Furniture Finishers
• Woodworking Machine Operators

Requires: High school diploma/GED plus ability to use computer-controlled machinery.

Outlook: About 22,000 openings projected annually in the U.S. STL MSA had 5.3X more openings than national avg. in Q4 2024.

Set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces. Sample positions:

• Machine Setters
• Operators
• Tenders

Requires: High school diploma plus 1 year on-the-job training. CNC tool programmers often need postsecondary education.

Outlook: About 91,800 openings expected annually in the U.S.

Apply finishes, often using machines, to a range of products. Sample positions:

• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters
• Operators
• Tenders

Requires: High school diploma/GED plus on-the-job training.

Outlook: About 16,900 openings expected annually in the U.S. STL MSA had 34% more openings than national avg. in Q4 2024.

Build finished products and the parts that go into them. Sample positions:

• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
• Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

Requires: High school diploma/GED; experience and training for advanced assembly work.

Outlook: About 209,800 openings expected annually in the U.S. STL MSA had 28% more openings than national avg. in Q4 2024.