Sheet metal workers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Sheet metal workers in the United States earn a median salary of $61,800 per year — about $30 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 127K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +2%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core of this occupation involves physical labor, manual dexterity, and on-site installation in unpredictable construction environments, which are highly resistant to AI. While AI and computer-controlled machinery (CADD, lasers, and automated presses) are increasingly used in the fabrication phase, the majority of the work—including installation, maintenance, and complex physical maneuvering—cannot be performed by digital tools.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana, ILBEST VALUE | $92,710 | Below avg (90.7) | $102,212 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $100,470 | Average (98.9) | $101,582 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $93,350 | Below avg (92.0) | $101,443 |
| Springfield, IL | $90,330 | Below avg (90.7) | $99,646 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $86,630 | Below avg (87.2) | $99,368 |
| Peoria, IL | $87,120 | Below avg (88.8) | $98,071 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $109,830 | Above avg (112.7) | $97,427 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $96,000 | Average (98.9) | $97,082 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,280 | Above avg (113.1) | $96,657 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $83,060 | Below avg (87.6) | $94,829 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $100,650 | Above avg (106.4) | $94,631 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $95,310 | Average (102.5) | $92,998 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,020 | Below avg (85.6) | $92,340 |
| Toledo, OH | $83,240 | Below avg (90.6) | $91,852 |
| Anchorage, AK | $98,070 | Above avg (106.8) | $91,851 |