What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Sheet Metal Workers in the U.S. earn more than $61,800 a year — the middle 80% land between $38,630 and $105,650. About 119,770 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Sheet Metal Workers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Craft and related trades workers earn about ₹16,825 a month on average — around ₹2.0 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$61,800typical pay / year
119,770people in this work
$105,650+top 10% earn
₹2.0 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make2
Shape metal with hand tools
+Shape this 18‑gauge aluminum cover to the shop sketch using hand seamer, mallet, and shrinking pliers, file…
Shape metal with hand tools
+Shape this 18‑gauge aluminum cover to the shop sketch using hand seamer, mallet, and shrinking pliers, file edges to flush, test fit on the rack, and note any metal fatigue or burrs before sending it to welding today.
The tools that do the workMerry Mechanization SMP/ISESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Assemble sheet metal parts
+Lay out and rivet the four bracket assemblies from the shop drawing, tack weld seams where specified, check…
Assemble sheet metal parts
+Lay out and rivet the four bracket assemblies from the shop drawing, tack weld seams where specified, check hole alignment with the mating panel, rivet in final sequence to prevent distortion, and bench‑check the assembled unit for square before delivery.
The tools that do the workApplied Production ProFoldjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Analysing1
Read and interpret blueprints
+Walk the HVAC roof plan, mark the supply and return duct routes on the drawing, call out dimensions and…
Read and interpret blueprints
+Walk the HVAC roof plan, mark the supply and return duct routes on the drawing, call out dimensions and takeoff quantities for each transition and fitting, and flag any unclear notes for the site foreman before tomorrow’s layout meeting.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Fixing2
Install HVAC duct systems
+Measure the first floor mechanical room, lay out duct runs to match the coordination drawing, cut and fit…
Install HVAC duct systems
+Measure the first floor mechanical room, lay out duct runs to match the coordination drawing, cut and fit rectangular ducts and hangers to the marked lines, seal joints with mastic, and update the site log when the first section is pressure tested.
The tools that do the workApplied Production ProFabjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Repair sheet metal products
+Inspect the dented intake housing, straighten the flange with dolly and hammer, replace any torn sections…
Repair sheet metal products
+Inspect the dented intake housing, straighten the flange with dolly and hammer, replace any torn sections with a patch plate welded and ground flush, verify airflow by reattaching and running the unit, and record repair details in the maintenance report.
The tools that do the workFCC Software AutoPOL Seriesjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Keeping the record1
Maintain tools and equipment
+Inventory the bending dies, snips, hammers, and spot welder, sharpen or replace three sets of snips, grease…
Maintain tools and equipment
+Inventory the bending dies, snips, hammers, and spot welder, sharpen or replace three sets of snips, grease the folder guides, log any damaged tools and order replacements so the crew can meet next week’s prefabrication run.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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The daily work14
Metal joining technologies
+Compare and document TIG, MIG, spot, and resistance welding options for the HVAC duct prototype, recommending…
Metal joining technologies
+Compare and document TIG, MIG, spot, and resistance welding options for the HVAC duct prototype, recommending which methods and filler metals to use for 18 gauge stainless and 14 gauge galvanized panels, note required jigs and safety PPE by Wednesday.
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Apply arc welding techniques
+Set up the lap joint and butt weld procedure for the stainless access panel, record welding parameters,…
Apply arc welding techniques
+Set up the lap joint and butt weld procedure for the stainless access panel, record welding parameters, travel speed and shielding gas mix, and produce a one-page welding instruction with weld symbol callouts and required PPE before the night shift starts Friday.
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Construct shipbuilding components
+Build the two ship bulkhead sections from the plate cut list, tack and finish weld seams to structural spec,…
Construct shipbuilding components
+Build the two ship bulkhead sections from the plate cut list, tack and finish weld seams to structural spec, fit brass fasteners where noted, grind smooth, and mark part numbers before moving them to staging for painting by Thursday.
The tools that do the workPTC Creo ParametricO*NETWikipedia
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Inspect finished work for quality
+Walk the finished deck panels line, check weld penetration, spot-weld strength, edge breaks, and surface…
Inspect finished work for quality
+Walk the finished deck panels line, check weld penetration, spot-weld strength, edge breaks, and surface finish against the job drawing, record any defects and reject or rework items today so the assembler can meet Friday fit-up.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsWikipedia
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Operate hand and power tools
+Set up and operate the angle grinder, pneumatic drill, and pop rivet gun to trim, deburr, and fasten the…
Operate hand and power tools
+Set up and operate the angle grinder, pneumatic drill, and pop rivet gun to trim, deburr, and fasten the cabin bracket batch of ten, using hearing protection and gloves and completing one verified part for sign-off before continuing.
The tools that do the workMerry Mechanization SMP/ISjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices.
+Interview and test two apprentice candidates on basic layout, safe welding practice, and sheet bending,…
Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices.
+Interview and test two apprentice candidates on basic layout, safe welding practice, and sheet bending, assign the successful candidate a two-week shadow schedule with Mike and clear training goals by next Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Inspect individual parts, assemblies, or installations, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, scales, or micrometers.
+Measure the batch of ten gusset plates with calipers and a micrometer, record thickness, hole center…
Inspect individual parts, assemblies, or installations, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, scales, or micrometers.
+Measure the batch of ten gusset plates with calipers and a micrometer, record thickness, hole center distances, and tolerances on the inspection sheet, and flag any plate out of spec for rework before they go to assembly today.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADO*NET
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Maneuver completed roofing units into position for installation.
+Team-lift and guide the three completed roofing units onto the trailer, secure them with ratchet straps and…
Maneuver completed roofing units into position for installation.
+Team-lift and guide the three completed roofing units onto the trailer, secure them with ratchet straps and edge protectors, note any deformities, and leave the units aligned for installation crew pickup at 0700 tomorrow.
The tools that do the workApplied Production ProFabO*NET
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Troubleshoot fit and alignment issues
+Find the misaligned duct section at bay C3, remove the fasteners, realign the flange so the seam gaps are…
Troubleshoot fit and alignment issues
+Find the misaligned duct section at bay C3, remove the fasteners, realign the flange so the seam gaps are even, tack-weld two corners, recheck against the layout, and report any interfering bends before final welding tonight.
The tools that do the workPTC Creo Parametricjob descriptions
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Follow safety protocols
+Run the jobsite safety checklist for the boiler room, confirm hard hats, goggles, welding screens, fire watch…
Follow safety protocols
+Run the jobsite safety checklist for the boiler room, confirm hard hats, goggles, welding screens, fire watch and gas monitors are in place, stop the crew if any PPE is missing, and log the inspection in the site safety file before shift end.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptions
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Collaborate with construction teams
+Walk the mezzanine with the foreman and lead carpenter, review the hanger locations against the structural…
Collaborate with construction teams
+Walk the mezzanine with the foreman and lead carpenter, review the hanger locations against the structural drawings, mark any clashes with conduit or framing, agree changes, and email the revised hanger plan to procurement and the foreman by 4pm.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptions
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Build appliance components
+Lay out and cut the refrigerator housing panels to the assembly drawing, form the bends to fit motor mounts,…
Build appliance components
+Lay out and cut the refrigerator housing panels to the assembly drawing, form the bends to fit motor mounts, spot-weld the corners, bench-test the moving parts, and send the assembly report to production control before the end of shift.
The tools that do the workApplied Production ProFabWikipedia
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Construct heaters and boilers
+Measure the boiler shell flange faces, fit the cleats and seams to the shop drawing, perform fillet welds…
Construct heaters and boilers
+Measure the boiler shell flange faces, fit the cleats and seams to the shop drawing, perform fillet welds where specified, pressure-test the joints, and note any defects on the welding report for the QA inspector.
The tools that do the workMerry Mechanization SMP/ISWikipedia
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Use safety equipment in construction
+Inspect each worker before the hot work shift, confirm full PPE including gloves, face shield and respirator,…
Use safety equipment in construction
+Inspect each worker before the hot work shift, confirm full PPE including gloves, face shield and respirator, verify harnesses for elevated work, brief the crew on nearby gas lines, and sign the safety log if all items are compliant.
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses