Median Salary
$61,800
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$29.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$105,650
entry level starts ~$38,630
Pay Grade
B
solid pay · 120,000 employed
How much does a Sheet Metal Worker make?
The median pay for a Sheet Metal Worker in the United States is $61,800 per year — about $29.71 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $38,630, while the most experienced Sheet Metal Workers in the top 10% earn $105,650.
That is $410 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Sheet Metal Worker salary range by percentile
Half of all Sheet Metal Workers earn between $47,830 and $81,610 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,630 | $18.57 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,830 | $23.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,800 | $29.71 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,610 | $39.24 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,650 | $50.79 |
|
Highest-paying states for Sheet Metal Worker
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Sheet Metal Worker pay at $98,550 a year, followed by Hawaii ($96,350) and Alaska ($94,600). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $45,820 — a gap of $52,730 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Sheet Metal Worker salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Washington $98,550Hawaii $96,350Alaska $94,600New Jersey $92,840Illinois $86,630Massachusetts $82,100Connecticut $78,750Wisconsin $77,760California $76,590Ohio $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
Workforce and education
About 120,000 people work as Sheet Metal Workers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $67,850 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Sheet Metal Worker make in the United States?
The median Sheet Metal Worker salary in the United States is $61,800 per year, or about $29.71 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,630, while the top 10% of earners make $105,650 or more.
How does Sheet Metal Worker pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B (solid pay), the Sheet Metal Worker median of $61,800 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Sheet Metal Workers the most?
Washington is the highest-paying state for Sheet Metal Workers, with a median salary of $98,550 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Sheet Metal Worker?
Becoming a Sheet Metal Worker typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Sheet Metal Workers work in the United States?
About 120,000 people were employed as Sheet Metal Workers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.