How much does a sheet metal worker make?
The median sheet metal worker in the United States earns $61,800 per year, about $29.71 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all sheet metal workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-2211.
Sheet metal worker salary range
Pay for sheet metal workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,630 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $105,650. The average (mean) wage of $67,850 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,630 | $18.57 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,830 | $22.99 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,800 | $29.71 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $81,610 | $39.24 | |
| 90th percentile | $105,650 | $50.79 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for sheet metal workers (SOC 47-2211), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Sheet metal worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Sheet metal workers earn the most in Washington at $98,550 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $45,820. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $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 |
State median wages for sheet metal workers (SOC 47-2211), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for sheet metal workers
The BLS projects employment of sheet metal workers to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 131,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 134,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 9,800 openings a year for sheet metal workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a sheet metal worker
The typical entry-level education for sheet metal workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a sheet metal worker earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $98,550) and the lowest (Arkansas, $45,820) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 119,770 people work as sheet metal workers in the United States. At $61,800 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Sheet metal worker salary FAQ
How much does a sheet metal worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a sheet metal worker is $29.71. The middle half of sheet metal workers earn between $22.99 and $39.24 per hour.
What is the highest sheet metal worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of sheet metal workers earn more than $105,650 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a sheet metal worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a sheet metal worker is $61,800. The average (mean) wage of $67,850 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a sheet metal worker a well paid job?
At $61,800 a year, a sheet metal worker earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 119,770 people work as sheet metal workers in the United States.
Which state pays sheet metal workers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for sheet metal workers at $98,550 a year. Hawaii ($96,350) and Alaska ($94,600) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a sheet metal worker a good career?
Employment of sheet metal workers is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 9,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a sheet metal worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for sheet metal workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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