Sheet metal workers
SOC Code: 47-2211Also known as:
AC Sheet Metal Installer (Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer), Air Duct Mechanic, Aircraft Metalsmith, Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic, Angle Bender
Median Annual Salary
$60,850
+2.4% growth (2024-2034)
11K
Openings/Year
127K
Current Jobs
What Sheet metal workers Do
Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.
💰 Salary
$60,850
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+2.4%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
11K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Apprenticeship
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
127,000
Projected Employment (2034)
130,100
Related Careers
Drywall and ceiling tile installers
$58,140 •
+4.2% growth
Structural iron and steel workers
$62,700 •
+4.4% growth
Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers
$61,680 •
-14.5% growth
Structural metal fabricators and fitters
$49,900 •
-16.3% growth
Layout workers, metal and plastic
$61,870 •
-5.4% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Coordination
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
- Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems.
- Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.
- Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation.
- Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.
- Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices.
- Lay out, measure, and mark dimensions and reference lines on material, such as roofing panels, using calculators, scribes, dividers, squares, or rulers.
- Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills.
- Determine project requirements, such as scope, assembly sequences, or required methods or materials, using blueprints, drawings, or written or verbal instructions.
- Maneuver completed roofing units into position for installation.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Sheet metal workers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a sheet metal workers:
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking
386 degrees awarded •
18 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Sheet metal workers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become sheet metal workers.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 32 | C+ |
| 2 | Foothill College | Los Altos Hills, CA | 5 | C+ |
| 3 | Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | 1 | C+ |
| 4 | Montana State University Billings | Billings, MT | 1 | C+ |
| 5 | Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL | 1 | C+ |
| 6 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | 169 | C |
| 7 | Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh, PA | 46 | C |
| 8 | American River College | Sacramento, CA | 36 | C |
| 9 | Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | 21 | C |
| 10 | Honolulu Community College | Honolulu, HI | 14 | C |
| 11 | Saint Paul College | Saint Paul, MN | 10 | C |
| 12 | Palomar College | San Marcos, CA | 10 | C |
| 13 | Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville, IL | 9 | C |
| 14 | Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College | Miami Lakes, FL | 8 | C |
| 15 | Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 8 | C |
| 16 | Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA | 8 | C |
| 17 | Bakersfield College | Bakersfield, CA | 6 | C |
| 18 | College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | 1 | C |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sheet metal workers make?
The median annual salary for sheet metal workers is $60,850.
What education do sheet metal workers need?
Most sheet metal workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking.
Is becoming sheet metal workers a good career choice?
Sheet metal workers is projected to see +2.4% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 10,600 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for sheet metal workers?
Top colleges for aspiring sheet metal workers include
Milwaukee Area Technical College, Foothill College, Columbia Basin College, Montana State University Billings, Hillsborough Community College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to sheet metal workers?
Sheet metal workers may also be known as: AC Sheet Metal Installer (Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer), Air Duct Mechanic, Aircraft Metalsmith, Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic, Angle Bender, Aviation Metalsmith, Beam Worker, Ceiling Installer, Chute Builder, Commercial Sheet Metal Service Installer, Coppersmith, Cornice Maker, Cowlman, Deburr Tech (Deburr Technician), Duct Installer, Dural Mechanic, Duralumin Mechanic, Duralumin Metalworker, Extrusion Former, Fabrication Technician (Fabrication Tech).
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.