Sheet metal worker
Also known as: duct fabricator, sheet metal fabricator, fabricator/welder, roofing fabricator, sheet-metal worker, construction fabricator
About this occupation
Sheet metal workers in construction use sheet metal to construct roofs, ducts for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, gutters and other metal structures. They read plans and determine the type and amount of materials to be used, then measure, bend, cut, shape, and attach pieces of sheet metal to create the required structure.
Essential skills and knowledge
- work ergonomically
- operate handheld riveting equipment
- use sheet metal shears
- tend metal sawing machine
- follow health and safety procedures in construction
- apply spot welding techniques
- clip sheet metal objects together
- use metalworking tools
- use safety equipment in construction
- types of metal
- apply arc welding techniques
- interpret 3D plans
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Sheet Metal Workers (O*NET 47-2211.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Coordination, Active Listening, Speaking
US median pay: US$61,800 a year (2025), 119,770 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.2)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.8)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (3.6)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.4)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical
- Tool and Die Makers
- Carpenters
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.