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Sheet metal worker: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $38,630lowest 10% earn less
- $47,83025th percentile
- $61,800median
- $81,61075th percentile
- $105,650top 10% earn more
The median sheet metal worker earned $61,800 a year in May 2025, above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Entry usually means a high school diploma and an apprenticeship[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +2.5%[5]
- Openings per year
- 9,800[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[3]
How much do sheet metal workers make?
The median pay for a sheet metal worker was $61,800 a year, or $29.71 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $67,850 a year, or $32.62 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].
The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,630 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $105,650[4]. Hourly, that is less than $18.57 at the bottom and more than $50.79 at the top[8].
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[4][8] | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| 25th[4][8] | $47,830 | $22.99 |
| Median[1] | $61,800 | $29.71 |
| 75th[4][8] | $81,610 | $39.24 |
| 90th[4][8] | $105,650 | $50.79 |
A percentile is a boundary. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions[10].
Pay by state and city
Washington had the highest median wage for sheet metal workers at $98,550 a year[11]. Hawaii followed at $96,350, then Alaska at $94,600[11]. Among the 50 states with published data, Arkansas had the lowest median at $45,820[11].
Texas had the most jobs, 9,540, followed by California with 8,390 and Florida with 8,040[12]. New York and Indiana completed the top five[12].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $109,830[13]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA was next at $109,280[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 6,080, with a median of $76,730[14].
Show median pay in 50 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[11] | $98,550 | 3,440 |
| Hawaii | $96,350 | 490 |
| Alaska | $94,600 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $92,840 | 2,790 |
| Illinois | $86,630 | 3,260 |
| Massachusetts | $82,100 | 2,890 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 | 1,480 |
| Wisconsin | $77,760 | 3,180 |
| California | $76,590 | 8,390 |
| Ohio | $74,790 | 4,180 |
| New York | $73,760 | 6,570 |
| Oregon | $73,750 | 3,250 |
| Minnesota | $72,970 | 2,980 |
| West Virginia | $72,390 | 540 |
| Iowa | $66,460 | 1,650 |
| Oklahoma | $65,640 | 2,820 |
| North Dakota | $65,180 | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $65,100 | 370 |
| Michigan | $64,490 | 4,000 |
| Nebraska | $64,440 | 440 |
| Indiana | $64,040 | 4,580 |
| Missouri | $63,560 | 2,640 |
| Utah | $63,140 | 1,810 |
| Kansas | $62,670 | 1,730 |
| Maryland | $62,560 | 1,940 |
| Maine | $62,120 | 830 |
| Delaware | $61,460 | 440 |
| Montana | $61,420 | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,400 | 3,260 |
| Kentucky | $60,680 | 2,210 |
| New Hampshire | $59,800 | 760 |
| Tennessee | $59,170 | 1,850 |
| Wyoming | $58,740 | 160 |
| Vermont | $58,250 | 370 |
| Colorado | $57,880 | 1,660 |
| Georgia | $56,800 | 3,590 |
| New Mexico | $56,720 | 640 |
| Texas | $54,240 | 9,540 |
| Virginia | $52,220 | 4,520 |
| North Carolina | $50,730 | 2,780 |
| Louisiana | $50,320 | 1,080 |
| Arizona | $50,260 | 3,060 |
| South Carolina | $49,920 | 1,710 |
| Florida | $49,640 | 8,040 |
| Mississippi | $49,500 | 1,260 |
| South Dakota | $47,800 | 320 |
| Alabama | $47,530 | 1,450 |
| Nevada | $46,730 | 1,270 |
| Idaho | $46,350 | 1,290 |
| Arkansas | $45,820 | 1,230 |
How to become a sheet metal worker
The steps below come from BLS data and the Occupational Outlook Handbook:
- First: get a high school diploma or equivalent. BLS lists no related work experience as needed[3][15]. Classes in algebra and geometry are suggested, along with vocational classes in blueprint reading, drawing and welding[15].
- Next: choose a training route. Workers in construction typically learn through an apprenticeship. Those in manufacturing often get trained at work or through a technical school[16]. Some people start as helpers before they enter an apprenticeship[17].
- Then: complete the apprenticeship. Most construction apprenticeships run 4 or 5 years and combine paid work with classroom instruction[18]. Programs are sponsored by unions and businesses, and applicants need to be 18 with a diploma or equivalent[19].
- After that: you are considered a journey worker, qualified to do tasks on your own[20].
Technical schools may offer welding and metalworking programs that teach basic fabrication knowledge[21]. Some manufacturers work with local technical schools on training for their own factories[22].
Some states require licenses, so check with your state[23]. Certifications are not required. Some workers earn them, for example in welding[24]. In an O*NET survey of 17 workers, 49% said a high school diploma or GED was the education level required, and 44% said a post-secondary certificate[25].
What sheet metal workers do
O*NET describes the work as making, assembling, installing and repairing sheet metal products such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes and furnace casings[26]. Common tasks include:
- Maintaining equipment and making repairs when needed[27].
- Making ducts for heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems[27].
- Joining seams and joints with welds, bolts, rivets, solder and other methods[27].
- Installing items such as flashing, pipes, ducts, gutters and downspouts[27].
- Measuring and marking material before cutting[27].
- Reading blueprints and drawings to work out project needs[27].
- Hauling prefabricated parts to construction sites[27].
- Training or supervising new workers and apprentices[27].
Workers report titles such as sheet metal installer, sheet metal fabricator and HVAC sheet metal specialist[28].
Where they work
Fabricators are usually based in factories and small shops. They often lift heavy loads and spend long stretches on their feet[29]. Workers who install sheet metal at construction sites bend, climb and squat, sometimes in tight spaces or at great heights. Outdoor work means exposure to weather, and the setting can be noisy or dusty[30]. Specialty trade contractors were the largest employer group at 56%[31]. About 8.4% of sheet metal workers were self-employed in 2025[32].
Injuries do happen. Common injuries come from sharp metal, hot soldering or welding work, and falls from ladders or scaffolding[33]. Workers near fast machines often wear safety glasses, ear protection and dust masks[34]. Most sheet metal workers work full time[35].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of sheet metal workers to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 131,100 to 134,400 jobs[5]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[36].
About 9,800 openings are projected each year[6]. Openings count jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.8% of workers leave the labor force and 4.3% move to a different occupation[37].
Is it a good fit?
The facts suggest a trade with pay above the all-occupations median, at $61,800 against $50,980[1][2]. The path usually runs through an apprenticeship, which for most construction workers takes 4 or 5 years[3][18]. Projected growth of 2.5% is a little below the 3.5% for all occupations[5][36]. The work can be physical and involves injury risks[30][33].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a sheet metal worker make an hour?
- The median was $29.71 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $18.57 and the 90th was $50.79[8].
- How do you become a sheet metal worker?
- Construction workers typically learn through an apprenticeship, and manufacturing workers often get trained at work or through a technical school[16]. Apprentices need to be 18 with a diploma or equivalent[19].
- How long is a sheet metal apprenticeship?
- Most construction apprenticeships run 4 or 5 years and include paid on-the-job training[18].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Sheet Metal Workers in the US was $61,800 per year and $29.71 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Sheet Metal Workers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Apprenticeship. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Sheet Metal Workers: 10th percentile $38,630, 25th percentile $47,830, 75th percentile $81,610, 90th percentile $105,650. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Sheet Metal Workers is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 131,100 to 134,400 jobs (a change of +3,300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 9,800 openings for Sheet Metal Workers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Sheet Metal Workers was $67,850 per year and $32.62 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Sheet Metal Workers: 10th percentile $18.57, 25th percentile $22.99, 75th percentile $39.24, 90th percentile $50.79. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Sheet Metal Workers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Sheet Metal Workers jobs: Texas 9,540; California 8,390; Florida 8,040; New York 6,570; Indiana 4,580. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Sheet Metal Workers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $109,830; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $109,280; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $102,660; Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $100,650; Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $100,470; Anchorage, AK $98,070; Kennewick-Richland, WA $96,000; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $95,310. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Sheet Metal Workers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 6,080 (median $76,730); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,890 (median $56,240); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 2,610 (median $51,870); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 2,550 (median $51,230); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,440 (median $72,710); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,430 (median $95,310). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 47-2211.00 survey of workers (17 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 49%, Post-Secondary Certificate 44%, Less than a High School Diploma 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Sheet Metal Workers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Sheet Metal Workers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 47-2211.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Commercial Sheet Metal Service Installer, Field Installer, HVAC Sheet Metal Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer), HVAC Sheet Metal Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Specialist), Sheet Metal Fabricator, Sheet Metal Installer, Sheet Metal Journeyman, Sheet Metal Layout Mechanic. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of sheet metal workers in 2025: Specialty trade contractors 56%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 8.4% of Sheet Metal Workers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Sheet Metal Workers: 2.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.