What do they do?

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.

Also known as:

Commercial Sheet Metal Service Installer, Field Installer, HVAC Sheet Metal Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer), HVAC Sheet Metal Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Specialist), Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker, Press Brake Operator, Sheet Metal Fabricator, Sheet Metal Installer, Sheet Metal Journeyman, Sheet Metal Layout Mechanic, Sheet Metal Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker

Typical Wages

Projected Growth Rate

Employment of Sheet Metal Workers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, more slowly than average compared to all occupations.

Projected Employment in OH

No Data Available
  • 2.5%

    Change

    Ranks #36 in job growth rate
    460

    Job Openings

    Ranks #8 in net job growth

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Education Level

Percent of workers in this field with these degrees:

  • High school diploma equivalent  (48%)
  • Some college, no degree  (24%)
  • Less than high school diploma  (13%)
  • Associate's degree  (9%)
  • Bachelor's degree  (6%)
  • Master's degree  (<1%)
  • Doctorate or Professional Degree  (<1%)

Typical College Majors

Most Popular Majors that prepare Sheet Metal Workers

Select Type of Degree:

★ There are no majors that have graduates with this degree type

People in this career often know a lot about:

  • Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • 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.
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

People in this career often have talent in:

  • Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

People in this career often do these activities:

  • Inspect completed work to ensure proper installation.
  • Maintain construction tools or equipment.
  • Fabricate parts or components.
  • Plan layout of construction, installation, or repairs.
  • Assemble products or production equipment.
  • Weld metal components.
  • Move construction or extraction materials to locations where they are needed.
  • Install building fixtures.
  • Install plumbing or piping.
  • Train construction or extraction personnel.
  • Direct construction or extraction personnel.
  • Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
  • Mark reference points on construction materials.
  • Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
  • Position structural components.
  • Create construction or installation diagrams.
  • Select construction materials.
  • Evaluate construction projects to determine compliance with external standards or regulations.
  • Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
  • Install roofing materials.
  • Inspect industrial or commercial equipment to ensure proper operation.

This page includes data from:

O*NET OnLine Career data: O*NET 28.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Logo Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

careeronestop logo Videos: CareerOneStop, USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development

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