Occupation · SOC 47-2211
Sheet Metal Workers
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.
Median wage
$60,850
$38,030–$102,680
Projected growth
+2.4%
Slower than average
Annual openings
310
per year
Employed (US)
117,470
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
124 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionMonitoringCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementActive ListeningSpeaking
Knowledge areas
MechanicalBuilding and ConstructionMathematicsDesignEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Computer aided manufacturing CAM softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareOperating system software
Representative tasks
Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems.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.Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation.Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices.Lay out, measure, and mark dimensions and reference lines on material, such as roofing panels, using calculators, scribes, dividers, squares, or rulers.Determine project requirements, such as scope, assembly sequences, or required methods or materials, using blueprints, drawings, or written or verbal instructions.Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills.Maneuver completed roofing units into position for installation.Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications.Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.Trim, file, grind, deburr, buff, or smooth surfaces, seams, or joints of assembled parts, using hand tools or portable power tools.Inspect individual parts, assemblies, or installations, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, scales, or micrometers.Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products.Verify that heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed, installed, and calibrated in accordance with green certification standards, such as those of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).Perform building commissioning activities by completing mechanical inspections of a building's water, lighting, or heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.Fasten roof panel edges or machine-made moldings to structures by nailing or welding.Finish parts, using hacksaws or hand, rotary, or squaring shears.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and basic measuring instruments — identify and handle under direct supervision on a commercial or residential job site.Layout lines and reference marks — transfer dimensions onto sheet metal panels using squares, scribes, and rulers following provided blueprints.Prefabricated duct sections and sheet metal components — transport and stage at construction sites under the guidance of a journeyman.Seams and basic joints — fasten using drive clips or rivets on simple assemblies while following step-by-step instructions in a shop setting.Safety protocols and PPE requirements — recognize and apply consistently when handling sheet metal edges and power tools in a fabrication environment.Simple measurements and material dimensions — calculate using basic arithmetic and a calculator to support layout tasks on entry-level projects.Written work orders and blueprint labels — read and interpret with supervision to locate dimensions and material specifications on standard HVAC drawings.Hand shears and punch tools — operate to cut or perforate sheet metal blanks under close oversight in a fabrication shop.Solder and caulk — apply to low-complexity joints on ductwork under direct instruction from an experienced sheet metal worker.Finished assemblies and scrap material — sort, clean, and organize in the work area to maintain a safe and efficient job-site environment.
developing
Duct sections for standard HVAC systems — fabricate independently from shop drawings using shears, brakes, and rollers in a production shop environment.Layout dimensions and reference lines — calculate and mark on roofing panels and duct blanks using dividers and calculators with minimal oversight.Seams and joints — assemble using welds, bolts, rivets, solder, or cement on moderate-complexity assemblies at commercial construction sites.Prefabricated parts and tools — load, secure, and transport to job sites, confirming inventory against work orders before departure.Flashing, gutters, and downspouts — install into supportive frameworks following installation sequences on light commercial or residential projects.HVAC duct assemblies and furnace casings — fit and secure in mechanical rooms, coordinating placement with adjacent trades to avoid conflicts.Hand and power tools — maintain and perform minor repairs or blade replacements to keep equipment in safe working condition during a project.Spreadsheet software — use to record material quantities and track job progress on routine assignments with periodic supervisor review.Apprentices and helpers — provide on-the-job guidance on basic layout and fastening techniques under a journeyman's direction.Time and task sequencing — manage across multiple daily work assignments to meet project milestones on mid-size construction sites.
proficient
Complex HVAC duct systems — fabricate and install for high-efficiency configurations, optimizing dimensions and fittings to maximize airflow performance on large commercial projects.Non-standard or field-altered parts — design and produce at the construction site using shears, hammers, punches, and drills when prefabricated components do not fit as planned.Full installation assemblies — coordinate and complete independently, including flashing, pipes, tubes, and downspouts, across diverse building types and structural conditions.Welded and bolted joints on structural ductwork — inspect and certify for quality and code compliance before system commissioning on commercial builds.CAD and CAM software — interpret and apply to review fabrication files, verify tolerances, and communicate changes to shop production teams.Critical-path scheduling and material planning — develop for sheet metal scopes on multi-phase construction projects, adjusting timelines in response to site conditions.Equipment malfunctions and tool failures — diagnose and repair or modify shears, brakes, and roll-forming machines to minimize production downtime.Technical specifications, building codes, and HVAC standards — read and apply to ensure installations meet regulatory requirements without supervisor review.New employees and apprentices — train in layout, fabrication, and installation techniques, providing structured feedback that accelerates their skill development.Cross-trade coordination — lead problem-solving discussions with HVAC mechanics, electricians, and general contractors to resolve spatial conflicts and sequence work efficiently.
advanced
Workforce hiring and apprenticeship programs — design and oversee to build a skilled sheet metal crew aligned with project pipeline and organizational growth goals.Organizational fabrication standards and quality control procedures — establish and enforce across multiple shop and field teams to ensure consistent workmanship.CAD and CAM technology adoption — lead implementation of updated design and manufacturing software, training journeymen and shop staff on new workflows.Project bids and material cost estimates — develop for large-scale HVAC and architectural sheet metal contracts, applying deep knowledge of production rates and market pricing.Safety culture and OSHA compliance programs — champion across all job sites and the fabrication shop, setting policy and conducting audits that reduce incident rates.Senior sheet metal workers and foremen — mentor and coach in advanced fabrication techniques, leadership skills, and code knowledge to build organizational depth.High-efficiency HVAC system designs — review and consult on with engineers and architects, contributing sheet metal fabrication expertise that optimizes system performance and constructability.Production capacity and shop scheduling — manage strategically across concurrent projects, balancing labor, machine time, and material delivery to meet commitments.Company-wide technology and equipment investment decisions — evaluate and recommend, assessing ROI of new forming, welding, or CAM equipment for long-term competitiveness.Industry standards bodies and apprenticeship councils — represent the organization, contributing to trade curriculum development and advocating for workforce and regulatory improvements.
Also known as
156 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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