How Much Do Sheet Metal Workers Make?
Sheet Metal Workers fabricate and install products made from thin metal sheets, including ductwork. Official pay data from the BLS May 2025 wage survey.
Median pay
$61,800
per year
Average (mean)
$67,850
per year
Range · 10th–90th
$38,630 – $105,650
bottom to top earners
The median sheet metal worker salary is $61,800 per year — 21% above the $50,980 median for all U.S. occupations. About 119,770 people work in this trade nationwide.
Pay by percentile
| Percentile | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,630 | Entry level / lowest-paid areas |
| 25th | $47,830 | Early career |
| 50th — median | $61,800 | The typical worker |
| 75th | $81,610 | Experienced |
| 90th | $105,650 | Top earners / highest-paid areas |
Lifetime earnings potential
At today's median wage, here is what a career as a sheet metal worker adds up to (in constant 2025 dollars, before raises or promotions — a conservative floor, not a projection):
| Career length | At the median ($61,800/yr) | In the top 10% ($105,650/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | $618,000 | $1,056,500 |
| 20 years | $1,236,000 | $2,113,000 |
| 30 years | $1,854,000 | $3,169,500 |
Reaching the top 10% instead of the median is worth $1,315,500 over a 30-year career — usually the gap between entry-level work and specialization, licenses, or high-paying states. Compare this trade against any other with the trade comparison tool.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do sheet metal workers make?
- The median annual wage for sheet metal workers is $61,800 (BLS OES, May 2025). The middle 50% earn between $47,830 and $81,610.
- What do the top sheet metal workers earn?
- The top 10% of sheet metal workers earn $105,650 or more per year, while the bottom 10% earn $38,630 or less.
- Is $61,800 good pay?
- It is 21% above the median for all U.S. occupations ($50,980, BLS May 2025).