A method of assembling an inductive proximity sensor maintains inductive coil wound bobbins in fixed relation to an inductive core within a housing. The method includes configuring two inductive coil wound bobbins with an integral ledge cantilevered from an inside surface thereof for forming a pocket under the integral ledge at a bottom of each bobbin; disposing each inductive coil wound bobbin around a corresponding leg of the inductive core; containing a foot of each core leg into the pocket of the corresponding bobbin; inserting each of two legs of a thruster element into a corresponding bobbin so that each leg rests upon the ledge of the corresponding bobbin; disposing the inductive core, inductive coil wound bobbins, and thruster element into the housing; disposing a spring element on a top surface of the thruster element; and compressing the spring element against the top surface of the thruster element.