Shipfitter Jobs in Mobile, AL
Lay out, cut, fit, and align steel plate and structure for the welders.
What shipfitters earn around Mobile
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics for Alabama, via the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop. Cost of living here runs about 12% 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 Mobile market
Mobile County is one of the largest shipbuilding centers on the Gulf Coast — Austal USA builds Navy vessels on the Mobile River, Alabama Shipyard runs a major repair yard nearby, and the marine trade runs south through Chickasaw and Theodore down to the boatbuilding town of Bayou La Batre, where Metal Shark and Steiner build for the Coast Guard and the commercial fleet. It's home ground for AMS, whose base sits just across the bay in Loxley, and crews are working here now.
- Austal USA
- Alabama Shipyard
- World Marine of Alabama
- Metal Shark & Steiner Shipyard (Bayou La Batre)
- MMIF & Silver Ships (Theodore)
Named as public-record market activity — where marine work happens in this area, not a statement of AMS contracts.
- Metro population
- 413,162
- Median household income
- $58,119
- Average commute
- 26 min
- Cost of living (US = 100)
- 87.797
Source: U.S. Census ACS · BEA.
Shipfitter jobs in Mobile — FAQ
How much do shipfitters make in Mobile, AL?
In Alabama, shipfitters earn a median of about $18.07 per hour — typically $13.99–$29.30 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 Mobile?
Yes. AMS has crews working the Mobile market and hires shipfitters for shipbuilding and ship repair. Apply through our Employment / Job Application page and tell us your trade and experience.
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 Mobile?
Tell us your trade and experience — an AMS representative will follow up. Résumé optional.