How much do sheet metal workers make in Georgia in 2026?

Sheet metal workers in Georgia earn a median of $56,800 per year, which works out to roughly $27.31 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That figure sits in the middle of the range — half of sheet metal workers in the state earn more, half earn less. The numbers come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 release.

The bottom quarter of earners — workers at the 25th percentile — take home around $46,240 a year, or about $22.23 an hour. This tier typically includes entry-level workers, apprentices in the early stages of their program, and helpers who haven't yet built a specialized skill set. If you're just starting out and landing at this number, that's where the trade begins in Georgia, not where it ends.

The top quarter of earners hit $70,640 or more annually, which is roughly $33.96 an hour. Getting into that bracket requires building skills that go beyond basic fabrication and installation. Sheet metal workers who handle HVAC system layouts, read and interpret complex blueprints, work in industrial or commercial construction, or take on lead and foreman roles consistently push into this tier. Specialty work — kitchen exhaust systems, cleanrooms, architectural sheet metal on high-end commercial projects — also commands stronger pay.

Georgia's construction market is heavily concentrated around metro Atlanta, and that's where the highest-volume sheet metal work is. Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb counties see the most commercial HVAC and industrial installation activity. Workers based in or willing to travel to the Atlanta metro will find more consistent hours and larger projects compared to rural parts of the state. That said, secondary markets like Savannah, Augusta, and Columbus have active construction sectors, particularly in manufacturing plant work and healthcare facility buildouts — both of which are steady sources of sheet metal contracts.

Overtime matters in this trade. Sheet metal installation tied to new construction often runs hot when a project is on deadline, and HVAC service work can spike during Georgia's hot summers when systems are failing and replacement jobs pile up. A worker earning $27.31 an hour who logs 200 hours of overtime in a year at time-and-a-half adds roughly $8,200 to their gross income. That's a meaningful jump and one reason annual earnings can vary significantly from the BLS baseline, which captures straight-time wages.

Apprenticeship is the most direct path into this trade in Georgia. A typical sheet metal apprenticeship runs four to five years and combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction in layout, fabrication, and system design. Completing an apprenticeship doesn't just qualify you to work — it typically moves you out of the 25th percentile range and closer to or above the median, because you graduate with documented, verifiable skills. Some workers may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement — check with your local for current rates.

Certifications can also push pay upward. OSHA 30 is increasingly required on larger commercial sites in Georgia and signals to employers that you're serious. EPA 608 certification is required for any work involving refrigerants, which overlaps with HVAC sheet metal work. Workers who can handle both the metal fabrication side and refrigerant-related HVAC work are more valuable and harder to replace.

The BLS numbers reflect base wages and do not include the full picture of total compensation. Employer-paid health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time out of service, and tool allowances don't show up in the wage figures. When you're comparing job offers, factor those in — a job paying $26 an hour with solid benefits can outperform one at $29 with nothing beyond the hourly rate.

Georgia does not require a statewide license specifically for sheet metal workers, but local jurisdictions — including the City of Atlanta — have their own permitting and contractor licensing requirements. Workers looking to move into running their own shop or pulling their own permits need to understand the local rules wherever they're working. That knowledge also makes you more useful to an employer and strengthens your case when asking for a raise.