GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
No 4-year degree required — and that's a feature, not a fallback
Skilled trades typically start earning $45-75K straight out of high school with little or no debt. Many trades earn more than the median college grad by age 30. Look for paid apprenticeships (IBEW for electricians, UA for plumbers/pipefitters, local trade unions) — you earn while you learn instead of paying tuition.
$69K/yr
Average Salary
1 years
Years of Education
+2%
Job Growth
127K+
Total Jobs
Fabricate and install products made from sheet metal including HVAC ductwork, roofing, and architectural features. High-paying skilled trade with strong union representation.
$48K
Starting
$69K
Average
$90K
Senior
High School Diploma or GED
Foundation requirement for all pathways
Trade / Vocational Program
6–18 months of hands-on technical training
Apprenticeship or License
State licensing exam required for most trade careers
Start your career
Entry-level positions and internships
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Field
Trades & Skilled Labor
Required Degree
Certificate
Time in School
1 years
Job Demand
10-Year Job Growth
+2%
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Create free account →Federal labor-market data for Sheet Metal Worker
Pay range
$48K–$90K
10th–90th percentile
Job growth
+2%
projected 2024–2034
Number of jobs
127K
in 2024
Slower than average
Below-average demand growth expected. Projected to grow from 127K to 130K jobs by 2034.
Typical duties
Read the full duties, work environment, and education requirements on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Open BLS page →
Direct match. Median $60,850; 2% growth. 127,000 jobs.