Trades
Sheet Metal Workers
Construction

Sheet Metal

Sheet metal workers install and repair ducts, vents, and other metal air conduits
Sheet Metal
Handy with tools? Have a keen eye for detail? Learn a variety of amazing skills as a Sheet Metal worker!
Why Should You Consider This Career?

1. Sheet metal workers are in demand. 2. Sheet metal workers are well paid. 3. Sheet metal workers have good benefits

TYPICAL SALARY
$80k
That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck
CAREER OUTLOOK
Growing
That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)
Less Physical                                         More Physical
—————|————
Less Training                                          More Training
—————|————
More Structure                                     Less Structure
—————|————
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Field Installer, HVAC Sheet Metal Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer), Sheet Metal Fabricator, Sheet Metal Installer, Sheet Metal Layout Mechanic, Sheet Metal Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker

Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.

At A Glance in US
2028 JOB GROWTH
Wage loader
398,000 (35%)
SALARY RANGE
This is some text inside of a div block.
AVG. JOBS / YEAR
398,000 (35%)
TIME TO JOURNEYMAN
398,000 (35%)
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Field Installer, HVAC Sheet Metal Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer), Sheet Metal Fabricator, Sheet Metal Installer, Sheet Metal Layout Mechanic, Sheet Metal Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker
A Typical Day Icon

Your Typical Day:

  • Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products.
  • Determine project requirements, such as scope, assembly sequences, or required methods or materials, using blueprints, drawings, or written or verbal instructions.
  • Lay out, measure, and mark dimensions and reference lines on material, such as roofing panels, using calculators, scribes, dividers, squares, or rulers.
  • Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.
  • Trim, file, grind, deburr, buff, or smooth surfaces, seams, or joints of assembled parts, using hand tools or portable power tools.
  • Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems.
  • Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications.
  • Finish parts, using hacksaws or hand, rotary, or squaring shears.
  • Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.
  • Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills.
wage icon

Wages in the US:

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
$
42.05
Per Hour Base Income
$TBD
Total Compensation
Your Responsibilities Icon

Your Responsibilities

  • Create construction or installation diagrams.
  • Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
  • Mark reference points on construction materials.
  • Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
  • Assemble products or production equipment.
  • Weld metal components.
  • Plan layout of construction, installation, or repairs.
  • Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
  • Fabricate parts or components.
  • Select construction materials.
Your Knowledge Icon

Knowledge You Will Learn

  • Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 75/100

  • Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 69/100

  • Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. 65/100

  • Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 60/100

  • English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 57/100

  • Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. 55/100

  • Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 52/100

  • Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. 52/100

  • Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. 47/100

  • Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 43/100

Tools of the Trade Icon

Tools of the Trade

  • Punches or nail sets or drifts
  • Metal folding machine
  • Shears
  • Rivet tools
  • Metal cutters
  • Power drills
  • Compasses
  • Power saws
  • Hydraulic press brake
  • Flowmeters
  • Ammeters
  • Drill press or radial drill
  • Manometers
  • Hoists
  • Hammers
  • Levels
  • Tachometers
  • Sheet metal pliers
  • Pressure indicators
  • Welding masks
  • Squares
  • Plasma arc welding machine
  • Pneumatic hammer
  • Spot welding machine
  • Air velocity and temperature monitors
  • Welding generator
  • Oxygen gas analyzers
  • Remote reading thermometers
  • Pipe or tube cutter
  • Hex keys
  • Hydraulic hand crimp tool
  • Dial indicator or dial gauge
  • Multimeters
  • Mill saw file
  • Hygrometers
  • Furnace soldering machine
  • Stencils or lettering aids
  • Welding or cutting tip
  • Pneumatic riveter
  • Calipers
  • Awls
  • Hydraulic press frames
  • Manual press brake
  • Sheet metal forming machine
  • Power buffers
  • Sawing machines
  • Dollies
  • Protective coveralls
  • Rolling press
  • Socket sets
  • Impact wrenches
  • Explosimeters
  • Protective gloves
  • Goggles
  • Laser cutting machine
  • Threading die hand tool
  • Locking pliers
  • Sheet metal grooving machine
  • Threading taps
  • Ball peen hammer
  • Deburring tool
  • Thermographs
  • Tungsten inert gas welding machine
  • Trim press
  • Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus
  • Scales
  • Straight edges
  • End cut pliers
  • Single gas monitors
  • Voltage or current meters
  • Metal inert gas welding machine
  • Positioning jig
  • Level sensors or transmitters
  • Metal band sawing machine
  • Leak testing equipment
  • Tinners snips
  • Pipe reamer
  • Angle grinder
  • Hacksaw
  • C clamps
  • Pneumatic impact wrenches
  • Ladders
  • Micrometers
  • Screwdrivers
  • Hard hats
  • Tape measures
  • Cold chisels
  • Turning machines
  • Wire cutters
  • Slings
  • Nibblers
  • Ohmmeters
  • Psychrometers
  • Scaffolding
  • Nut drivers
  • Safety glasses
  • Acoustic ear muffs or defenders
  • Bolt cutters
  • Scribers
  • Tongs
  • Chalk lines
  • Plumb bobs
  • Laser printers
  • Protractors
  • Caulking guns
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Desktop computers
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Power routers
  • Personal computers
  • Power sanders
  • T squares
  • Templates
Related Careers Icon

Helpful Career Links

Questions About this Career Path?