Shipfitter Jobs in Houston, TX
Lay out, cut, fit, and align steel plate and structure for the welders.
What shipfitters earn around Houston
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics for Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area, via the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop. Cost of living here runs about 1% below the national average — your paycheck goes further. AMS pays competitive marine-industry rates — specific pay is discussed when you apply.
What a shipfitter does at AMS
Shipfitters turn plans into steel — reading blueprints, laying out and cutting plate and structural members, then fitting, bracing, and tacking them into alignment so the welders can finish the joint. It's the layout and fit-up craft at the front of every structural job, on new construction and repair alike, and it demands a sharp eye for tolerance and a feel for how a hull goes together.
Marine work in the Houston market
The Houston-Galveston ship channel is one of the busiest marine-industrial corridors in the country, with ship-repair and fabrication yards up and down the channel. It's one of the East Texas markets AMS actively recruits welders and fitters from.
- Gulf Copper (Galveston)
- Southwest Shipyard
- Bludworth Marine
Named as public-record market activity — where marine work happens in this area, not a statement of AMS contracts.
- Metro population
- 7,274,714
- Median household income
- $80,458
- Average commute
- 30 min
- Cost of living (US = 100)
- 98.772
Source: U.S. Census ACS · BEA.
Shipfitter jobs in Houston — FAQ
How much do shipfitters make in Houston, TX?
In the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area, shipfitters earn a median of about $20.94 per hour — typically $16.77–$29.79 per hour (BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics via the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop). AMS pays competitive marine-industry rates; the pay for a specific role is discussed when you apply.
Does AMS hire shipfitters in Houston?
AMS recruits shipfitters across the Gulf Coast, including the Houston market, for marine fabrication and repair work. Apply and tell us your trade, your experience, and whether you can travel.
What do I need to get hired as a shipfitter?
All roles require the ability to pass a shipyard safety orientation and a drug screen, and a TWIC card is often needed for yard access. Bring your certifications and experience — apply and an AMS representative will go over the specifics.
Is travel or per-diem work available?
AMS staffs marine projects across the Gulf Coast, and travel with per-diem is common in this trade. If you're open to traveling for the right job, note it on your application — it opens up more work.
Ready to work as a shipfitter in Houston?
Tell us your trade and experience — an AMS representative will follow up. Résumé optional.