ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association and its technical affiliate, the Tube & Pipe Association have issued 2003 Metal Forming and Fabricating Industry Wage & Benefits Survey. This biannual report on compensation for shop employees is said to be the most comprehensive wage survey for the industry.

The report provides data on more than 80 job-shop titles in all technology sectors of the industry. The report's authors said with the report, manufacturers can compare their pay rates and compensation policies to those of other employers by region, company size, and company sales volume.

Responses from 326 companies nationwide reported hourly rates for 18,329 employees. Participating companies also disclosed details on 40 benefits.

The survey results are available for sale online at www.fmanet.org.