Sheet Metal Worker Salary
Sheet Metal Workers earn a median $61,800 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.5% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 9,800
- Self-employed
- 8%
Employment of sheet metal workers is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 9,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Sheet Metal Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,236
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,832
- Medicare (1.45%)$896
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,836
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,630 | $18.57 | $33,219 |
| 25th percentile | $47,830 | $23.00 | $40,611 |
| Median (50th) | $61,800 | $29.71 | $51,836 |
| 75th percentile | $81,610 | $39.24 | $66,243 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,650 | $50.79 | $83,155 |
Best cities for sheet metal workers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $95,310 | $71,308 | $68,833 | 2,430 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $76,730 | $59,263 | $52,649 | 6,080 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $72,710 | $56,432 | $49,691 | 2,440 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $56,240 | $47,369 | $45,949 | 2,890 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $51,870 | $43,858 | $44,467 | 2,610 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $51,230 | $42,271 | $40,915 | 2,550 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Chicago, IL — $95,310
- New York, NY — $76,730
- Los Angeles, CA — $72,710
- Dallas, TX — $56,240
- Houston, TX — $51,870
- Phoenix, AZ — $51,230
Sheet Metal Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $98,550 | +5.7% | $78,160 | $57,650 – $149,260 | 3,440 |
| Hawaii | $96,350 | +5.3% | $70,820 | $52,730 – $118,960 | 490 |
| Alaska | $94,600 | +14.3% | $75,381 | $49,300 – $116,580 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $92,840 | −1.6% | $70,419 | $46,290 – $130,630 | 2,790 |
| Illinois | $86,630 | −7.4% | $65,631 | $42,220 – $117,910 | 3,260 |
| Massachusetts | $82,100 | +3.6% | $62,702 | $46,440 – $121,050 | 2,890 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 | +26.3% | $61,474 | $49,780 – $93,940 | 1,480 |
| Wisconsin | $77,760 | +2.4% | $60,793 | $45,160 – $107,060 | 3,180 |
| California | $76,590 | −3.8% | $58,800 | $47,410 – $132,190 | 8,390 |
| Ohio | $74,790 | +18.8% | $60,170 | $43,200 – $94,240 | 4,180 |
| New York | $73,760 | +0.4% | $57,334 | $40,330 – $126,090 | 6,570 |
| Oregon | $73,750 | +13.1% | $55,090 | $48,150 – $120,600 | 3,250 |
| Minnesota | $72,970 | +16.7% | $56,726 | $47,520 – $116,990 | 2,980 |
| West Virginia | $72,390 | +0.8% | $57,202 | $38,170 – $76,020 | 540 |
| Iowa | $66,460 | +7.9% | $53,707 | $43,770 – $91,450 | 1,650 |
| Oklahoma | $65,640 | +1.9% | $52,513 | $46,000 – $79,090 | 2,820 |
| North Dakota | $65,180 | −17.4% | $54,540 | $48,080 – $84,740 | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $65,100 | +14.3% | $52,663 | $42,670 – $81,980 | 370 |
| Michigan | $64,490 | +4.6% | $51,508 | $40,940 – $96,390 | 4,000 |
| Nebraska | $64,440 | +10.0% | $51,905 | $32,140 – $94,980 | 440 |
| Indiana | $64,040 | +7.4% | $51,776 | $42,620 – $104,080 | 4,580 |
| Missouri | $63,560 | −4.2% | $51,200 | $38,090 – $110,580 | 2,640 |
| Utah | $63,140 | +4.4% | $51,038 | $44,360 – $85,770 | 1,810 |
| Kansas | $62,670 | +23.1% | $49,838 | $38,690 – $108,530 | 1,730 |
| Maryland | $62,560 | +1.5% | $49,839 | $46,800 – $84,650 | 1,940 |
| Maine | $62,120 | +3.0% | $49,082 | $47,930 – $75,490 | 830 |
| Delaware | $61,460 | −3.7% | $48,829 | $37,290 – $85,790 | 440 |
| Montana | $61,420 | −0.8% | $49,401 | $44,310 – $84,220 | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,400 | −11.3% | $49,630 | $45,660 – $126,430 | 3,260 |
| Kentucky | $60,680 | +23.6% | $48,930 | $40,570 – $85,310 | 2,210 |
| New Hampshire | $59,800 | +12.0% | $50,229 | $34,170 – $79,930 | 760 |
| Tennessee | $59,170 | +10.2% | $49,723 | $38,710 – $79,360 | 1,850 |
| Wyoming | $58,740 | +14.6% | $49,378 | $42,350 – $72,400 | 160 |
| Vermont | $58,250 | +2.4% | $47,466 | $42,920 – $82,940 | 370 |
| Colorado | $57,880 | +0.0% | $46,848 | $43,780 – $83,550 | 1,660 |
| Georgia | $56,800 | +5.3% | $45,494 | $38,820 – $76,900 | 3,590 |
| New Mexico | $56,720 | −4.2% | $46,254 | $36,410 – $84,690 | 640 |
| Texas | $54,240 | −2.9% | $45,762 | $37,010 – $78,400 | 9,540 |
| Virginia | $52,220 | −10.7% | $41,950 | $37,440 – $73,640 | 4,520 |
| North Carolina | $50,730 | −3.1% | $41,426 | $37,280 – $78,020 | 2,780 |
| Louisiana | $50,320 | −8.3% | $41,489 | $34,650 – $77,790 | 1,080 |
| Arizona | $50,260 | −2.3% | $41,516 | $36,350 – $80,750 | 3,060 |
| South Carolina | $49,920 | +8.3% | $40,453 | $37,090 – $76,300 | 1,710 |
| Florida | $49,640 | +1.0% | $42,066 | $36,140 – $71,740 | 8,040 |
| Mississippi | $49,500 | +1.0% | $40,705 | $36,560 – $70,630 | 1,260 |
| South Dakota | $47,800 | −4.0% | $40,587 | $38,420 – $86,780 | 320 |
| Alabama | $47,530 | +3.1% | $38,259 | $35,510 – $71,270 | 1,450 |
| Nevada | $46,730 | −1.8% | $39,728 | $38,120 – $121,730 | 1,270 |
| Idaho | $46,350 | −29.4% | $38,074 | $36,340 – $78,470 | 1,290 |
| Arkansas | $45,820 | +7.5% | $37,422 | $35,800 – $57,380 | 1,230 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmason and Blockmason | $62,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.1% |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Electrician | $63,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.2% |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.6% |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.8% |
| Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker | $58,970 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.3% |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer | $58,930 | No formal educational credential | +2.5% |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $58,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.1% |
| Plasterer and Stucco Mason | $57,660 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sheet metal worker make?
The national median salary for sheet metal workers is $61,800 a year ($29.71 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,630 and the top 10% earn over $105,650. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays sheet metal workers the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $98,550. After taxes and local prices, Chicago, IL offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many sheet metal workers are there in the U.S.?
About 119,770 people work as sheet metal workers nationwide.