Sheet Metal Worker Salary in 2026
Fabricate, install, and maintain sheet metal products including HVAC ducts and roofing.
Median Salary
$55,000
$4,583/mo
Entry Level
$38,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$78,000
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
Sheet Metal Worker Overview
Fabricate, install, and maintain sheet metal products including HVAC ducts and roofing.
Education
Apprenticeship
Experience
4-5 years
Industry
Trades
Total Jobs (US)
155K
5-Year Growth
+3%
Category
Trades
Hourly Rate
$26.44/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,583
Sheet Metal Worker Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Sheet Metal Worker salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Sheet Metal Worker Salary
$64,000
$5,333/month · $2,462/biweekly · $30.77/hr
Sheet Metal Worker Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Sheet Metal Worker field.
Entry-level Sheet Metal Workers earn around $38,000, while the top 10% earn $86,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Sheet Metal Workers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $65,000 | +$10,000 |
| New York | $63,000 | +$8,000 |
| Massachusetts | $62,000 | +$7,000 |
| Washington | $62,000 | +$7,000 |
| Illinois | $57,000 | +$2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Sheet Metal Workers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $65,000 | +$10,000 |
| Seattle | $63,000 | +$8,000 |
| Los Angeles | $62,000 | +$7,000 |
| Boston | $62,000 | +$7,000 |
| Chicago | $58,000 | +$3,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Sheet Metal Worker Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Sheet Metal Worker from entry level to expert.
$38,000
0-2 years
$58,000
3-7 years
$78,000
8-14 years
$95,000
15+ years
Related Trades Jobs
Sheet Metal Worker Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Sheet Metal Worker Salary
How we calculate Sheet Metal Worker salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $55,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Sheet Metal Worker in the Trades sector.
- Entry-level ($38,000) and senior-level ($78,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 155K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 3% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Trades sector wages.
- Education requirement: Apprenticeship, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $55,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Sheet Metal Worker compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Sheet Metal Worker job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Trades
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Sheet Metal Worker salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Metal Fabrication, HVAC Ductwork, Welding), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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