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.
Sheet Metal Workers
SOC: 47-2211 O*NET: 47-2211.00
Median Salary
$60,850
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
10.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Sheet Metal Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,030
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,290
25th percentile
Median
$60,850
50th percentile
Experienced
$79,620
75th percentile
Top Earners
$102,680
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,030
25th
$47,290
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$60,850
Mean: $66,110
75th
$79,620
90th
$102,680
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $64,650 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,290 and $79,620
- •Salary spread is 53.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 117,470 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:127,000
Top Industries
Construction61.9%
Specialty Trade Contractors58.1%
Building Equipment Contractors42.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.4%
Annual Openings:10,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)127,000
Current
2034 (Projected)130,100
+2.4%
+3,100
Employment Change
+2.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Sheet Metal Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
10,270 jobs$55,8400.97x
Florida
9,470 jobs$49,1701.27x
California
9,180 jobs$79,6300.67x
New York
6,190 jobs$73,4700.85x
Ohio
5,350 jobs$62,9401.27x
Michigan
4,590 jobs$61,6801.37x
Illinois
4,240 jobs$93,5700.92x
Washington
3,870 jobs$93,2301.44x
Virginia
3,870 jobs$58,4901.25x
Georgia
3,850 jobs$53,9601.04x
Missouri
3,740 jobs$66,3401.68x
Indiana
3,570 jobs$59,6001.47x
Wisconsin
2,990 jobs$75,9701.34x
Arizona
2,990 jobs$51,4401.23x
Oregon
2,920 jobs$65,1901.95x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Coordination
92%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Monitoring
78%
#5
Time Management
70%
#6
Active Listening
62%
#7
Speaking
56%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
48%
#9
Mathematics
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Coordination
advanced4.6
92%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate3.9
78%
Time Management
intermediate3.5
70%
Active Listening
intermediate3.1
62%
Speaking
basic2.8
56%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Coordination
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Mathematics
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Accountants and Auditors73%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers73%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film73%
5 shared skills
Carpenters73%
5 shared skills
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians73%
5 shared skills
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Speaking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Sheet Metal Workers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Trim, file, grind, deburr, buff, or smooth surfaces, seams, or joints of assembled parts, using hand tools or portable power tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Finish parts, using hacksaws or hand, rotary, or squaring shears.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Sheet Metal Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Sheet Metal Workers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Sheet Metal Workers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.56
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.38
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.07
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.04
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.02
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.95
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.4
Initiative
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Leadership
3.8
Integrity
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Analytical Thinking
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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