Sheet Metal Worker Salary: United States
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The median annual wage for Sheet Metal Worker in the United States was $61,800 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers earned between $47,830 and $81,610.
Direct match Our title "Sheet Metal Worker" is reported by BLS as SOC 47-2211 Sheet Metal Workers. BLS reports this occupation as Sheet Metal Workers. A license or specialty is still checked separately.
Annual wages
Sheet Metal Worker, the United States, annual wages: 10% earned less than $38,630, half earned less than the median of $61,800, 90% earned less than $105,650 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,630 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $47,830 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $61,800 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $81,610 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $105,650 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $67,850 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages
Sheet Metal Worker, the United States, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $18.57, half earned less than the median of $29.71, 90% earned less than $50.79 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.57 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $22.99 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $29.71 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $39.24 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $50.79 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $32.62 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Employment: BLS estimates 119,770 workers in this occupation nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 47-2211 Sheet Metal Workers, National.
What BLS wages include. Base pay plus any guaranteed or production-based incentive pay. They leave out overtime, discretionary bonus, benefits, per diem and relocation.
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Target metros
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th percentile | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $51,700 | $46,550 to $62,600 | 1,780 | 0.82 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $49,510 | $39,480 to $58,840 | 970 | 0.87 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $48,920 | $39,710 to $61,290 | 1,140 | 1.05 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $50,570 | $46,920 to $60,350 | 470 | 0.83 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $76,730 | $53,990 to $118,790 | 6,080 | 0.83 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $76,730 | $53,990 to $118,790 | 6,080 | 0.83 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $56,240 | $46,030 to $63,390 | 2,890 | 0.93 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $51,870 | $42,550 to $63,370 | 2,610 | 1.03 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $95,310 | $60,410 to $108,380 | 2,430 | 0.7 |
How does Sheet Metal Worker pay differ by industry?
These are national industry estimates for SOC 47-2211, not local offers or separate estimates for the niche title. Industry names are exactly as BLS publishes them.
| Industry | NAICS | Median | Basis | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 23 | $63,090 | Annual | 77,530 |
| Construction of Buildings | 236000 | $62,870 | Annual | 4,540 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 236200 | $59,440 | Annual | 3,470 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237000 | $62,890 | Annual | 340 |
| Utility System Construction | 237100 | $74,450 | Annual | 170 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | 237300 | $61,500 | Annual | 160 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 238000 | $63,100 | Annual | 72,650 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 238100 | $51,790 | Annual | 16,060 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 238200 | $69,850 | Annual | 53,690 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | 238300 | $63,330 | Annual | 1,720 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 238900 | $44,150 | Annual | 1,180 |
| Manufacturing | 31-33 | $51,570 | Annual | 29,970 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 326000 | $48,920 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 326100 | $47,680 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 327000 | $65,590 | Annual | 60 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | 331000 | $72,380 | Annual | 640 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 331100 | $39,460 | Annual | 160 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 331200 | $56,870 | Annual | 70 |
| Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 331400 | $64,370 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332000 | $49,940 | Annual | 21,380 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 3320A1 | $56,820 | Annual | 310 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 3320A2 | $49,780 | Annual | 20,780 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 332700 | $56,560 | Annual | 250 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 332800 | $38,660 | Annual | 40 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 333000 | $55,180 | Annual | 2,000 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 3330A1 | $54,830 | Annual | 1,910 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 333300 | $64,550 | Annual | 80 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 334000 | $56,520 | Annual | 110 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 334400 | $56,530 | Annual | 30 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 334500 | $55,970 | Annual | 60 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 335000 | $52,840 | Annual | 210 |
| Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 335300 | $52,100 | Annual | 70 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 335900 | $56,620 | Annual | 60 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 336000 | $62,650 | Annual | 4,830 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 336200 | $42,370 | Annual | 890 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 336300 | $45,970 | Annual | 120 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 336400 | $56,970 | Annual | 1,570 |
| Ship and Boat Building | 336600 | $63,390 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339000 | $59,210 | Annual | 510 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 339100 | $54,550 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339900 | $61,130 | Annual | 450 |
| Air Transportation | 481000 | $87,240 | Annual | 670 |
| Scheduled Air Transportation | 481100 | $87,240 | Annual | 640 |
| Rail Transportation | 482000 | $86,890 | Annual | 540 |
| Rail Transportation | 482100 | $86,890 | Annual | 540 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | 488000 | $66,140 | Annual | 930 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | 488100 | $66,140 | Annual | 930 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 | $58,120 | Annual | 640 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541000 | $58,120 | Annual | 640 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 541300 | $58,120 | Annual | 550 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 541700 | $100,280 | Annual | 30 |
| Repair and Maintenance | 811000 | $74,520 | Annual | 220 |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance | 811100 | $76,300 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | 811300 | $60,170 | Annual | 110 |
Industry estimates are national. Do not combine an industry median with a local percentile to invent an industry-specific local rate.
Which related roles have a different BLS occupation?
A supervisory occupation is not an experience percentile for the craft. Compare the actual responsibilities and the published SOC.
Roofing Foreman (47-1011)Masonry Foreman (47-1011)Glazing Foreman (47-1011)Painting Foreman (47-1011)Drywall Foreman (47-1011)Insulation Foreman (47-1011)Which metros publish the highest and lowest medians?
This ranking uses the May 2025 annual median for Sheet Metal Workers. It is not adjusted for living costs. A metro is a BLS statistical area, not just the city limits. Top-coded or suppressed medians are not ranked.
| Metro | Median | Employment | Location quotient | Trade median / all-occupations median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $109,830 | 2,190 | 1.36 | 1.51 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,280 | 750 | 0.86 | 1.30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $102,660 | 880 | 0.48 | 1.38 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $100,650 | 100 | 1.01 | 1.62 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $100,470 | 150 | 1.17 | 2.11 |
| Anchorage, AK | $98,070 | 160 | 1.17 | 1.63 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $96,000 | 190 | 1.88 | 1.68 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $95,310 | 2,430 | 0.7 | 1.74 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $93,380 | 440 | 1.27 | 1.63 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $93,350 | 50 | 1.67 | 2.05 |
| Rapid City, SD | $44,280 | 70 | 1.26 | 0.96 |
| Abilene, TX | $43,590 | 60 | 1.01 | 0.98 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $43,260 | 60 | 1.2 | 1.02 |
| Valdosta, GA | $42,610 | 30 | 0.77 | 1.09 |
| Longview, TX | $41,820 | 90 | 0.97 | 0.93 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $40,570 | 30 | 0.52 | 0.90 |
| Albany, GA | $39,540 | 30 | 0.73 | 0.91 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $38,980 | 110 | 3.56 | 1.07 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $37,780 | 40 | 0.66 | 0.79 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $28,340 | 180 | 0.33 | 0.96 |
The wage ratio is simple arithmetic: this occupation's median divided by the all-occupations median in the same area and unit. It is not a cost-of-living measure. Location quotient describes the concentration of employment, not relative pay. Neither predicts what a particular candidate will accept.
What do these published wages mean for an offer?
Skilled Trades Headhunters reads the May 2025 figures for Sheet Metal Worker in National as an offer reference, not a quote for a particular candidate. For Sheet Metal Worker in National, the published median for SOC 47-2211, Sheet Metal Workers, is $61,800 per year. The middle half of the Sheet Metal Worker in National wage distribution runs from $47,830 to $81,610, a width of $33,780 per year; that spread shows how much published pay varies within the occupation and area, without assigning experience levels.
For the national Sheet Metal Worker comparison, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ reports $76,730 per year while Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX reports $56,240 per year; these are the largest-employment metros with published medians for the occupation, rather than neighboring places to a national estimate. The United States Sheet Metal Worker figure pools markets with different work scopes and schedules, so use the area table before setting a local offer.
The highest published medians among the selected national industry rows for Sheet Metal Workers, read alongside Sheet Metal Worker in National, are Scientific Research and Development Services at $100,280 per year (NAICS 541700); Air Transportation at $87,240 per year (NAICS 481000); Scheduled Air Transportation at $87,240 per year (NAICS 481100). Those Sheet Metal Worker in National industry comparisons are national cross-sections, not local industry estimates; BLS does not give us a metro-by-industry wage cut here, and overlapping industry groups should not be added together.
The Sheet Metal Worker in National median was $60,850 per year in May 2024, compared with $61,800 in May 2025, a published difference of $950. That Sheet Metal Worker in National comparison is between separate BLS releases, not the raise paid to the same workers or a projection of next year's offer. Read the $60,850 and $61,800 Sheet Metal Worker in National estimates with both dates visible, because the employers and workers represented by the survey can change.
Before offering $61,800 per year for Sheet Metal Worker in National, separate on-call duties, overtime, travel reimbursement, tool replacement and any truck allowance separately; prevailing wage and union requirements must be checked against the actual assignment. The Sheet Metal Worker in National BLS comparison includes ordinary wages and qualifying incentive pay, but leaves overtime, discretionary bonuses, benefits and relocation outside this wage figure. A candidate's take-home pay and the employer's total cost for Sheet Metal Worker in National can therefore differ from the median without either number being an error.
The mapping for Sheet Metal Worker in National is direct: BLS reports this occupation as Sheet Metal Workers; A license or specialty is still checked separately. For a Sheet Metal Worker in National opening, establish the equipment, license requirements and responsibility before deciding which people the pay range should attract. The Sheet Metal Worker in National direct mapping still describes an occupation and area rather than a specific applicant, so credentials and actual duties remain part of offer calibration.
Questions about this occupation and area
What does the middle-half band tell a Sheet Metal Worker in National buyer?
Sheet Metal Worker in National has a published middle-half band of $47,830 to $81,610, a width of $33,780 per year, with median $61,800. An offer inside that Sheet Metal Worker in National band is not automatically competitive for every scope; match the required work and the separate pay terms first.
Which areas should I compare before hiring Sheet Metal Worker in National?
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX are the largest-employment comparison markets used for Sheet Metal Worker in National. Comparing those Sheet Metal Workers tables with the $61,800 Sheet Metal Worker in National median does not measure commuting costs or predict what a particular applicant will accept.
Are the industry figures local to Sheet Metal Worker in National?
Sheet Metal Worker in National uses national industry rows for SOC 47-2211, not local sector-specific wages. Scientific Research and Development Services leads the selected sortable rows at $100,280 per year, but that national industry figure is not a quoted offer for Sheet Metal Worker in National.
What changed between the releases for Sheet Metal Worker in National?
Sheet Metal Worker in National moved from $60,850 in May 2024 to $61,800 in May 2025. These Sheet Metal Worker in National published medians do not describe an individual raise or establish a future wage trend.
What changed since May 2024
SOC 47-2211. Published annual median: $60,850 (May 2024) and $61,800 (May 2025). These are two BLS releases, not a projection.