California Median
$76,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.82
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+24% vs US median
US median $61,800
State Rank
#9 of 50
8,390 employed here
How much does a Sheet Metal Worker make in California?
Sheet Metal Workers in California take home a median of $76,590 annually — roughly $36.82 an hour — which runs 24% above the national median of $61,800.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,410 while the top 10% make $132,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,220 and $107,360 a year.
Sheet Metal Worker salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,410 | $22.79 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,220 | $28.47 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,590 | $36.82 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $107,360 | $51.62 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,190 | $63.55 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories for Sheet Metal Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Sheet Metal Worker salary in other states
Washington $98,550Hawaii $96,350Alaska $94,600New Jersey $92,840Illinois $86,630Massachusetts $82,100Connecticut $78,750Wisconsin $77,760Ohio $74,790New York $73,760Oregon $73,750Minnesota $72,970West Virginia $72,390Iowa $66,460Oklahoma $65,640North Dakota $65,180Rhode Island $65,100Michigan $64,490Nebraska $64,440Indiana $64,040Missouri $63,560Utah $63,140Kansas $62,670Maryland $62,560Maine $62,120Delaware $61,460Montana $61,420Pennsylvania $61,400Kentucky $60,680New Hampshire $59,800Tennessee $59,170Wyoming $58,740Vermont $58,250Colorado $57,880Georgia $56,800New Mexico $56,720Texas $54,240Virginia $52,220North Carolina $50,730Louisiana $50,320Arizona $50,260South Carolina $49,920Florida $49,640Mississippi $49,500South Dakota $47,800Alabama $47,530Nevada $46,730Idaho $46,350Arkansas $45,820
Working as a Sheet Metal Worker in California
Nationally, about 120,000 people work as Sheet Metal Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($76,590) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Sheet Metal Worker make in California?
The median Sheet Metal Worker salary in California is $76,590 per year, or about $36.82 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,410 at the entry level to $132,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Sheet Metal Workers about 24% more than the national median of $61,800. California ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Sheet Metal Workers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,590 a year. About 8,390 Sheet Metal Workers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Sheet Metal Worker salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.