'metalworker' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'metal' + 'worker', where 'metal' comes from Latin 'metallum' and Greek 'metallon' meaning 'mine, metal', and 'worker' is formed from 'work' + agentive suffix '-er' meaning 'one who works'.

'metal' entered English from Latin 'metallum' (via Old French/Medieval Latin) and Greek 'metallon'; 'work' traces to Old English 'weorc'/'wyrcan' (to work), with the agentive '-er' producing 'worker'. The modern compound 'metalworker' developed by combining these elements in modern English.

Initially the elements referred simply to 'metal' and 'one who works'; combined, they have long carried the literal meaning 'a person who works with metal', which has remained stable into modern usage.