Sheet Metal Worker Salary in Washington, DC
Sheet Metal Workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $61,270 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,874 take-home, or $4,073 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median sheet metal worker salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,172
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,799
- Medicare (1.45%)$888
- District of Columbia income tax$2,536
- Take-home pay$48,874
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Sheet Metal Worker pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,780 | $21.05 | $35,896 | $2,991 |
| 25th percentile | $50,490 | $24.27 | $40,885 | $3,407 |
| Median (50th) | $61,270 | $29.46 | $48,874 | $4,073 |
| 75th percentile | $73,990 | $35.57 | $57,519 | $4,793 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,780 | $41.24 | $64,853 | $5,404 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,270 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median sheet metal worker's $48,874 take-home pay has the buying power of $44,887 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Sheet Metal Worker jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.76), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for sheet metal workers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #51 of 64 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $109,830 | $86,095 | $77,471 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $109,280 | $78,354 | $70,958 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $82,830 | $64,145 | $69,314 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $95,310 | $71,308 | $68,833 |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $77,410 | $61,942 | $65,949 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $77,760 | $62,178 | $65,129 |
| 7 | Davenport, IA | $72,380 | $57,651 | $64,719 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $102,660 | $74,399 | $64,352 |
| 51 | Washington, DC | $61,270 | $48,874 | $44,887 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 64 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sheet metal worker make in Washington, DC?
The median sheet metal worker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $61,270 a year, or about $29.46 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,490 and $73,990.
What is a sheet metal worker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $61,270 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $48,874 a year ($4,073 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,536 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a sheet metal worker?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $61,800. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $44,887 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #51 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a sheet metal worker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median sheet metal worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $83,540
- Construction and Building Inspector — $80,150
- Electrician — $75,930
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $71,860
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker — $68,320
- Glazier — $63,310
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $61,660
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining — $61,040
- Highway Maintenance Worker — $60,810
- Carpenter — $60,800
- Brickmason and Blockmason — $60,670
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $59,070