Sheet Metal Worker
SMART Local 10
Fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, and custom metal products that keep buildings breathing.
Starting Pay
$25.52/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$56.71/hr
~$113k/year
Apprenticeship
5 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$155,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Sheet metal workers from SMART Local 10 fabricate and install the ductwork, hoods, roofing panels, and custom metal components that make up a building's HVAC system and architectural metalwork. Half the job is shop work — cutting, bending, and forming metal on precision machines — and the other half is field work, installing systems in commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and industrial facilities. It's a great trade if you like working with your hands AND your head.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first weeks will likely be split between the shop (learning to use brake presses, plasma cutters, and layout tools) and the field (installing pre-fabricated ductwork on a job site). You'll be assigned to a journeyman and learn layout, safety, and installation techniques while doing real production work.
This trade is
Pay Scale
Pay increases each year of the apprenticeship as a percentage of the journeyman rate. All rates are hourly; estimated annual at 2,000 hrs/year.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Year Apprentice | $25.52/hr | ~$51k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $31.19/hr | ~$62k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $36.86/hr | ~$74k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $42.53/hr | ~$85k |
| 5 | 5th Year Apprentice | $48.20/hr | ~$96k |
| 6 | Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker | $56.71/hr | ~$113k |
Benefits Package
Health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family. Pension and annuity plan. Shop-based work provides a more consistent schedule than purely field-based trades.
Apprenticeship Program
5 years
Program Length
900 hrs
Classroom Hours
8,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through the SMART Local 10 training center at smart10.org. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and some basic mechanical aptitude. Math skills — especially geometry — are tested during the application process.
Application Windows
Application windows open periodically based on workforce needs. Check smart10.org or call the hall at (612) 379-9591.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- 18 years of age
- Pass a drug test
- Geometry and math skills (tested in application process)
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry sheet metal and ductwork (can be heavy and awkward)
- Work at heights — rooftop HVAC equipment installation
- Comfortable working in both shop and field environments
- Fine motor skills for precision fabrication work
Tools You'll Need
- Tin snips (various cuts)
- Dividers, scribers, and layout tools
- Rivet gun and sheet metal screws
- Tape measure, levels, squares
Physical Demand
3/5
Technical Level
4/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
Steady Demand
MN DEED projects 5% growth for sheet metal workers (SOC 47-2211) 2022–2032 with about 260 annual openings, outpacing the 2% BLS national projection (slower than average) 2024–2034. Minnesota's commercial HVAC and architectural sheet metal work drives above-national demand.
Next Steps
Ready to learn more or apply? Here's what to do right now.
Wage source: Journeyman base hourly rate is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22), which is derived from the prevailing collective bargaining agreement for Statewide (MN, ND, SD). Total package (with fringe benefits) is higher than the base rate shown. Apprentice progression rates are calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale and may differ slightly from the actual CBA. This page is not affiliated with SMART Local 10 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with SMART Local 10.