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.
At a Glance
Sheet Metal Workers earns a median of $60,850/yr with +2.4% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Getting Information, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software.
$60,850/yr
+2.4%
11
High school diploma or equivalent
Skills & Requirements
Knowledge (5)
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Abilities (8)
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
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.
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Technology (5)
Work Activities (33)
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Architecture and Engineering · 192 shared skills
Mechatronics Engineers
Architecture and Engineering · 190 shared skills
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
Production · 190 shared skills
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Architecture and Engineering · 190 shared skills
Machinists
Production · 190 shared skills
Electrical Engineers
Architecture and Engineering · 190 shared skills
Chemical Engineers
Architecture and Engineering · 190 shared skills
Robotics Technicians
Architecture and Engineering · 190 shared skills
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