Updated 2025 · Metalwork
How to Become a Sheet Metal Worker
Sheet metal workers fabricate, install, and maintain thin metal products including HVAC ductwork, roofing, siding, and kitchen equipment.
Steps to Become a Sheet Metal Worker
- Meet basic requirements — You must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. A strong foundation in math, physics, and shop classes helps.
- Apply to an apprenticeship program — Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeships last 4 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apply through your local union (IBEW, UA, etc.) or a non-union contractor program. You earn while you learn from day one.
- Complete required training — Complete 8000 hours of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction.
- Earn certifications — Required certifications include: OSHA 10/30-Hour, SMACNA certification, EPA Section 608 (for HVAC ductwork), Welding certifications.
- Pass the journeyman exam — After completing your apprenticeship, pass the journeyman licensing exam in your state to earn full journeyman status and pay.
What Does a Sheet Metal Worker Do?
Sheet metal workers fabricate, install, and maintain thin metal products including HVAC ductwork, roofing, siding, and kitchen equipment.
Daily Duties
- Read blueprints and specifications
- Measure, cut, and bend sheet metal using hand and power tools
- Fabricate ductwork, gutters, and metal structures
- Install HVAC ductwork and fittings
- Weld, solder, and rivet sheet metal seams
Skills Needed
- Metal fabrication
- Ductwork installation
- Blueprint reading
- TIG/MIG welding
- CAD/CNC operation
Required Certifications
- OSHA 10/30-Hour
- SMACNA certification
- EPA Section 608 (for HVAC ductwork)
- Welding certifications
Sheet Metal Worker Salary (2025)
The national median sheet metal worker salary is $58,967 per year. Pay ranges from $49,190 in the lowest-paying metro to $75,071 in the highest-paying metro. See the full sheet metal worker salary breakdown by city.
Apprentice Pay Progression
Sheet Metal Worker apprentices earn while they learn, starting at approximately 40% of journeyman pay:
| Year | % of Journeyman | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 40% | $23,587 |
| Year 2 | 57% | $33,611 |
| Year 3 | 73% | $43,046 |
| Year 4 | 90% | $53,070 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $58,967 |
Union vs Non-Union Sheet Metal Worker Pay
Union sheet metal workers earn 36% more than non-union workers — $37.50/hour union vs $27.57/hour non-union. Approximately 35.4% of sheet metal workers are union members. See the full union vs non-union comparison.
Work Environment
Sheet metal workers work in shops fabricating components and on construction sites installing them. Work involves sharp materials, power tools, and heights.
Career Outlook
Steady demand for HVAC ductwork in new construction. Energy efficiency requirements are driving demand for better-sealed and insulated duct systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
The national median salary for a sheet metal worker is $58,967 per year (2025 BLS data). Pay ranges from $49,190 to $75,071 depending on location, with top earners in the 90th percentile making significantly more.
It takes 4 years to complete a sheet metal worker apprenticeship. During this time, you earn while you learn — starting at approximately 40-50% of journeyman wages and receiving annual raises.
No college degree is required to become a sheet metal worker. The primary path is through an apprenticeship program or trade school. You will need to earn specific certifications: OSHA 10/30-Hour and SMACNA certification.
Sheet Metal Worker earns a Trade Pay Score grade of C, meaning it rates moderately on pay relative to cost of living, wage growth, and demand. Steady demand for HVAC ductwork in new construction. Energy efficiency requirements are driving demand for better-sealed and insulated duct systems.
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