The North American metal fabrication market is growing rapidly, leading to increased demand for metalworking technologies.
According to KOTRA on April 6, the North American metal fabrication market was valued at approximately $4.85 billion in 2024. It is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.8%, reaching around $8.02 billion by 2033.
The metal fabrication market—which includes processes such as forming, cutting, welding, and assembling metal parts—is closely linked to the broader metalworking industry. For example, the production of precise and high-quality components in the automotive and aerospace sectors would not be possible without advanced metalworking technologies.
Among these segments, welding accounted for the largest share of the North American metal fabrication market last year, with a market share of 25.3%. As an essential process used across various industries—including construction, energy, automotive, shipbuilding, and steel—welding plays a critical role in industrial manufacturing.
Consequently, demand for welding and other metalworking technologies is steadily rising. Members of Generation Z (born in the mid-1990s to early 2000s) are already helping address the skilled labor shortage in welding and technical trades.
According to research by the nonprofit organization Strada Education Foundation, nearly half of college graduates are employed in jobs that do not require a bachelor’s degree.
