Explore Your Future

Whether you’re a recent grad or looking for your next career move, the sheet metal industry has a $75,000 opportunity for you. As essential businesses, companies in the HVAC and sheet metal industries hire thousands of men and women each year for skilled trade, contractor, and management level office positions across the country. Explore the many sectors and career paths that can ignite your career, today!

4%

industry job growth projected by 2029(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) 

$230,000+

6 figure + salaries for management positions such as CEO 

$75,000

salary for a project engineer with as little as 3 years of experience 

Sheet metal fabrication is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, playing a major role in manufacturing and construction. And employers in all sectors of sheet metal are eager to hire essential workers – whether you have a degree or are seeking on-the-job training through a paid apprenticeship, you’re certain to find a rewarding, well-paying career. 

Something for everyone… 

You may be surprised to know that there are multiple career paths within the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, all with varied skillsets and opportunities for advancement. 

From estimating the costs of a project to designing how it gets built to handling project management and finance — and everything in between — there is a unique career within the industry that is a perfect match for your interests and skills. Where do you start? Learn about all the different sheet metal career paths below. 

01

SHEET METAL FOREMAN

Average Salary Range: $76,000 – $122,000*

Sheet metal foremen supervise and coordinate activities of the craft personnel engaged in the fabrication, installation, and repair of sheet metal products, systems, and structures. They must have knowledge of the physical properties and working characteristics of sheet metal, tools and equipment required in the sheet metal trade, and shop mathematics and principles.

02

SHEET METAL JOURNEYPERSON 

Average Salary Range: $72,000 – $116,000*

A sheet metal journeyman (now journeyperson) is part of a highly skilled and diversified trade. In the shop and on the job site, sheet metal journeypersons are responsible for fabrication, welding, and assembly of HVAC systems, duct work, and architectural projects and building exteriors — all from raw materials.

Most people in the industry climb up through a SMART apprenticeship for four to five years and then enter the trade as a sheet metal journeyperson debt-free. For many, this job role is a launching pad that can take them in a number of career directions.

03

SHEET METAL SUPERINTENDENT

Average Salary Range: $80,000 – $129,000*

Sheet metal superintendents are responsible for safety, quality of work, and productivity of a team that ranges from five to 25 journeymen in a sheet metal shop.

On any given day, a sheet metal superintendent sets the daily production plan, works with schedulers to meet customer commitments, communicates project statuses, hands over shifts, and ensures department employees are working in a safe manner.

On a longer-term basis, sheet metal superintendents train and develop the job skills of the team, report status of major projects to peers and management, and take part in learning activities.

04

HVAC SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Average Salary Range: $72,000 – $116,000*

HVAC service technicians are responsible for system and equipment:
Installation
Maintenance
Service

As part of a typical day on the job, HVAC service technicians may be asked to repair air conditioners, maintain HVAC systems, and address any other issues that could affect indoor air quality systems. A career as an HVAC service technician requires knowledge of related equipment and their functions, diagnostic training, and the recording of maintenance logs.

01.

K

Sheet Metal Forman

In a typical day, sheet metal foremen may:

  • Select the gauge and type of sheet metal based on products being fabricated or installed
  • Supervise and coordinate activities of craft workers and subcontractors
  • Interpret specifications, blueprints, and work orders
  • Interpret company policies to workers and enforce safety regulations
  • Establish and adjust work schedules based on equipment, materials, and capabilities of personnel
  • Analyze and resolve work problems
  • Coordinate project activities with other trades

KEY SKILLS 

The sheet metal foreman job is ideal for someone who is:

  • Organized and analytical
  • A problem solver
  • Able to interpret specifications, blueprints, CAD drawings, BIM renderings, and the associated work orders
  • Able to estimate worker-hour requirements for job completion
  • Experienced in planning, layout, fabricating, assembling, installing, and repairing sheet metal parts/materials, equipment, and products
  • Experienced in leading craft workers and coordinating activities

REQUIREMENTS 

  • Prior experience working on construction sites and/or managing teams in the field
  • Relevant work experience
  • Familiar with Microsoft Office, including Outlook

TYPICAL BENEFITS (MAY VARY) 

  • Paid time off
  • Opportunity to learn additional skills as well as upward mobility
  • Two weeks of vacation after one year of service
  • Medical, dental, life, vision, disability and 401(k) available after one month
  • Flexible spending account to help you and your family pay for medical expenses

Wages/Average Annual Base Compensation* 

  • $76,000 to $122,000 base wages depending on geography 
  • $79,400 to $224,000 base wages including benefits depending on geography 

*SMACNA Wages Database 

02.

K

Sheet Metal Journeyperson

KEY SKILLS 

The sheet metal journeyperson job is ideal for someone who is: 

  • Detail-oriented 
  • Hands-on 
  • Hardworking 
  • A team player 
  • A problem solver 
  • Knowledgeable about spatial relationships 
  • Experienced with technical and mathematical instructions and calculations 
  • Able to work with updated technology and programming 

REQUIREMENTS 

  • A high school diploma or GED 
  • Relevant work experience 
  • To become a journeyperson in the trade, you must first be an apprentice 

TYPICAL BENEFITS (MAY VARY) 

  • Health insurance 
  • Pension funds 
  • Program reimbursement 
  • Receive books and other educational material free of charge 
  • Graduate without student loan debt 

Wages/Average Annual Base Compensation* 

  • $72,000 to $116,000 base wages depending on geography 
  • $75,400 to $218,000 base wages including benefits depending on geography 

*SMACNA Wages Database

03.

K

Sheet Metal Superintendent

KEY SKILLS 

The sheet metal superintendent job is ideal for someone who is: 

  • Detail-oriented 
  • Collaborative 
  • Advanced in math 
  • Able to supervise projects and employees 
  • Knowledgeable about basic HVAC systems and terminology 

REQUIREMENTS 

  • Relevant work experience 
  • Completion of an apprenticeship 
  • Prior leadership experience 
  • Experience with fabricated sheet metal parts, press brakes, CNC punches, and lasers, welding 
  • Experience with deburring/hand finishing of sheet metal and machined parts 

TYPICAL BENEFITS (MAY VARY) 

  • Health insurance 
  • Dental insurance 
  • Vision insurance 
  • Retirement plan 
  • Paid time off 
  • Relocation assistance 
  • Tuition reimbursement 

Wages/Average Annual Base Compensation* 

  • $80,000 to $129,000 base wages depending on geography 
  • $83,700 to $242,000 base wages including benefits depending on geography 

*SMACNA Wages Database 

04.

K

HVAC Service Technician

KEY SKILLS 

The HVAC service technician job is ideal for someone who is: 

  • Proficient in electrical and mechanical diagnostics 
  • An excellent communicator 
  • Knowledgeable about HVAC systems and equipment 
  • Able to think quickly and troubleshoot system issues 

REQUIREMENTS 

  • Prior experience 
  • Must be able to service commercial equipment 
  • CFC, NATE, Journeyman, Masters License is a plus 
  • Must have industry standard hand tools 
  • Excellent customer skills 
  • Must be motivated 
  • Neat and professional 
  • Drug free / clean background check 
  • Valid driver’s license / clean driving record 
  • Must follow all company policies and procedures 

TYPICAL BENEFITS (MAY VARY) 

  • Paid time off 
  • Opportunity to learn additional skills as well as upward mobility 
  • Two weeks of vacation after one year of service 
  • Medical, dental, life, vision, disability and 401(k) available after one month 
  • Flexible spending account to help you and your family pay for medical expenses 

Wages/Average Annual Base Compensation* 

  • $72,000 to $116,000 base wages depending on geography 
  • $75,400 to $218,000 base wages including benefits depending on geography 

JOIN US

Demand for professional tradesmen and women has never been higher — and these careers offer training, educational resources, and labor relations/advocacy support. Visit our partner SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, to learn more about getting started with a union position in the industry. The sheet metal arm of SMART represents 55,000 members in the sheet metal trade. 

Utah Sheet Metal Workers Drug Free Workplace Program 

 

PURPOSE The members of Local Union 312, Sheet Metal Workers Intermountain Association (SMWIA) and the Sheet Metal Contractor’s Association of Utah (SMACNA) are committed to a workplace environment, which ensures the safety and encourages the personal health and productivity of all employees in our industry. We recognize that substance abuse in the workplace is a threat to the safety, health, and job performance of all employees. The goal of this policy is to balance respect for individuals with the need to maintain a safe, productive, alcohol and drug-free environment. The SMWIA Local Union 312, SMACNA Utah Drug-Free Workplace Policy Committee (DFWPC) has established this policy to detect and remove abusers of alcohol and drugs from the workplace.