HVAC Technician
Install, maintain and repair heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration systems.
- $61,010
- 6–24 months
Skilled Trades & Construction career
Sheet Metal Worker
Also called: HVAC Sheet Metal Mechanic · Ductwork Installer · Sheet Metal Fabricator · Tinner
What sheet metal workers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a sheet metal worker do?
Sheet metal workers lay out, fabricate and install products made of thin metal sheets, especially heating, ventilation and air conditioning ductwork, as well as roofing, gutters and architectural metal. The median pay is $61,800 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4–5 years (apprenticeship), and employment is projected to grow +2.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$61,800$29.71/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.5%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year9,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train4–5 years (apprenticeship)Typical program length
- U.S. jobs131,100Employment, 2025
What sheet metal workers do
Sheet metal workers read plans, lay out patterns, cut and bend metal, and join pieces with seams, rivets and welds to make ducts, fittings, gutters, flashing and architectural panels. Installers hang ductwork in new buildings and connect it to HVAC equipment; others work in fabrication shops running brakes, shears and plasma cutters, or test and balance airflow systems.
Most sheet metal workers complete four- to five-year apprenticeships, often through SMART union programs, which combine paid work with classroom training in drafting, math, welding and safety. The trade is closely tied to HVAC and offers steady work in commercial construction.
Typical duties
- Read blueprints and shop drawings
- Lay out and cut sheet metal patterns
- Bend and form metal with brakes and rollers
- Join seams with lock seams, rivets, screws and welds
- Install ductwork, hangers and supports
- Seal and insulate duct systems
- Install roofing, flashing, gutters and architectural metal
Work environment and schedule
Sheet metal workers split time between fabrication shops and construction sites. Installation involves ladders, lifts and overhead work, and shops are noisy with heavy machinery.
Schedule: Most work full-time on day shifts. Construction deadlines can bring overtime.
A day in the life
- Pick up fabricated duct sections at the shop and review the mechanical drawings.
- Lay out hanger locations and drill anchors in the ceiling of a new office floor.
- Lift and connect rectangular duct sections with a duct jack.
- Install a branch takeoff and flexible duct to diffusers.
See a full day in the life of a sheet metal worker →
Sheet Metal Worker salary
Half of sheet metal workers earned more than $61,800 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $38,630 for the lowest 10% to $105,650 for the top 10%.
Full sheet metal worker pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a sheet metal worker
- Finish high school
- Apply to an apprenticeship
- Learn fabrication and installation
- Become a journeyworker
- Specialize or lead
A high school diploma is typical. Most sheet metal workers complete a four- to five-year registered apprenticeship that includes paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction in drafting, math, welding and safety. Some start in technical college programs.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a sheet metal worker →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Pattern layout
- Blueprint and shop drawing reading
- Metal forming with brakes and rollers
- Seaming, riveting and welding
- Duct installation
People skills
- Spatial reasoning
- Precision
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
All sheet metal worker skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Paid apprenticeships with good benefits
- Mix of shop and field work
- Ties to the growing HVAC industry
- Skills in drafting, welding and fabrication
Cons
- Cuts from sharp metal
- Overhead work and heavy lifting
- Noisy shops and job sites
- Work tied to construction cycles
Certifications and licenses
- Apprenticeship completion: Journeyworker status from a registered apprenticeship.
- OSHA 10 or 30-Hour Construction: Construction safety training.
- AWS welding certification: American Welding Society certification for sheet metal welding.
- TAB certification: Testing, adjusting and balancing credentials such as through TABB or NEBB.
Career path
- Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker: Learn fabrication and installation.
- Journeyworker: Fabricate and install independently.
- TAB Technician, Detailer or Welder: Specialize in balancing, drafting or welding.
- Foreman, Project Manager or Contractor: Lead crews and projects.
Learn the job before day one
Our Sheet Metal Worker training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as install a rectangular duct run and bend sheet metal on a brake, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Welder
Join and cut metal with MIG, TIG and stick welding for construction and manufacturing.
- $53,750
- 3–18 months
Roofer
Install, repair and replace the roofs that keep buildings dry and protected.
- $55,440
- 3–12 months on the job
Ironworker
Raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground.
- $62,780
- 3–4 years (apprenticeship)
Compare: Sheet Metal Worker vs. HVAC Technician · Sheet Metal Worker vs. Welder · Sheet Metal Worker vs. Roofer · Sheet Metal Worker vs. Ironworker
Sheet Metal Worker FAQ
How long is a sheet metal apprenticeship?
Usually four to five years.
Is sheet metal the same as HVAC?
They’re related. Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork; HVAC technicians install and service the equipment.
Do sheet metal workers weld?
Many do, especially on stainless steel, kitchen exhaust and architectural work.
How much does a sheet metal worker make?
The median annual wage for sheet metal workers was $61,800 ($29.71 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,630 and the highest 10% earned more than $105,650.
How long does it take to become a sheet metal worker?
Most people need about 4–5 years (apprenticeship) of training. A high school diploma is typical. Most sheet metal workers complete a four- to five-year registered apprenticeship that includes paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction in drafting, math, welding and safety. Some start in technical college programs.
Do you need a degree to be a sheet metal worker?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.
More sheet metal worker questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2211 (Sheet metal workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Sheet metal workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.