A structurally promoted, precipitated, Fischer-Tropsch catalyst that exhibits an RCAI-10 of 0-2.8 and/or produces less than 6 wt % fines after 5 hours ASTM Air Jet Attrition testing, due to formation via: preparing a nitrate solution by forming at least one metal slurry and combining the at least one metal slurry with a nitric acid solution; combining the nitrate solution with a basic solution to form a precipitate; structurally promoting the precipitate with at least one source of silicon to form a promoted mixture, wherein promoting comprises combining the precipitate with (a) silicic acid and one or more component selected from the group consisting of non-crystalline silicas, crystalline silicas, and sources of kaolin or (b) a component selected from the group consisting of non-crystalline silicas and sources of kaolin, in the absence of silicic acid; and spray drying the promoted mixture to produce catalyst having a desired particle size.