Career comparison
Ironworker vs. Sheet Metal Worker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Ironworkers earn more at the median ($62,780 vs. $61,800), while ironworkers usually get to work faster (3–4 years (apprenticeship) of training). Ironworkers raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground. Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, siding and other products made from sheet metal.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Ironworker | Sheet Metal Worker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,780 ($30.18/hr) | $61,800 ($29.71/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,580 – $108,260 | $38,630 – $105,650 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.1% (about as fast as average) | +2.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 5,900 | 9,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | 4–5 years (apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | Apprenticeship completion | Apprenticeship completion |
| Work setting | Ironworkers work outdoors at great heights on buildings, bridges and towers, in heat, cold and wind. | Sheet metal workers split time between fabrication shops and construction sites. |
What each job does
Ironworker
- Read blueprints and erection drawings
- Signal cranes and rig steel members for lifting
- Guide beams and columns into position
- Bolt and weld connections
- Plumb and align steel frames
Sheet Metal Worker
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose ironworker if…
- I’m comfortable working at great heights
- I like physical, high-energy work
- I trust and depend on my crew
Choose sheet metal worker if…
- I’m good at visualizing 3D shapes
- I like working with metal and tools
- I enjoy math and measuring
Still torn? Take the Ironworker fit quiz and the Sheet Metal Worker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, ironworker or sheet metal worker?
Ironworkers earn more at the median: $62,780 versus $61,800 for sheet metal workers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Ironworkers typically train faster (3–4 years (apprenticeship)) than sheet metal workers (4–5 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects ironworkers to grow +3.1% from 2025–35, compared with +2.5% for sheet metal workers.