Sheet Metal Worker
Fabricates and installs ductwork, roofing, gutters, and architectural metal. The unseen trade that makes HVAC actually work.
Also known as: tinknocker · sheet metal mechanic · ductwork installer · HVAC sheet metal
The Reality.
Five-year SMART apprenticeship is a strong path. Sheet metal work is half shop fabrication, half field install — variety keeps it interesting. Less talked about than electricians and plumbers, but pay is competitive and demand is steady from the HVAC and data center boom.
The Money.
| Stage | Hourly | Approx. annual (40 hr × 50 wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 apprentice | $17–$25/hr | $34,000 – $50,000 |
| Journeyman (top of scale) | $34–$54/hr | $68,000 – $108,000 |
| BLS national median (all stages) | — | $58,780 |
| BLS top 10% (90th percentile) | — | $95,450 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024 release). Apprentice/journeyman hourly ranges synthesized from union scale data and reported non-union rates. Major-metro union scale runs higher; smaller markets run lower.
The Path.
- · OSHA 10
- · TAB (Testing, Adjusting, Balancing)
- · Welding certs
What the recruiter won't tell you.
- 01Cuts. The trade is named after the material that cuts you. Wear gloves.
- 02Non-union 'sheet metal' jobs are sometimes glorified general labor. Confirm trade scope.
- 03Sheet metal lung disease (siderosis) and hearing loss are documented risks. PPE matters.
The Tool Bill.
What you'll spend on tools in your first year. Don't let anyone tell you it's less.
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