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

The median sheet metal worker in Missouri earns $63,560 a year, which works out to roughly $30.56 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That number sits in the middle of a wide spread — the bottom quarter of workers earns $47,500 or less (~$22.84/hr), while the top quarter clears $98,090 or more (~$47.16/hr). That gap of more than $50,000 between the 25th and 75th percentiles tells you this is a trade where experience, specialization, and the jobs you land matter enormously.

Entry-level workers and those still finishing an apprenticeship typically land at or below the 25th percentile. At $22.84 an hour, you're earning a real wage, but there's significant room to grow. Most sheet metal apprenticeships in Missouri run four to five years and combine on-the-job hours with classroom instruction in blueprint reading, layout, fabrication, and HVAC system installation. Once you complete your apprenticeship and accumulate a few years of journeyman-level experience, clearing $30 an hour becomes realistic.

The jump from the median to the 75th percentile — from $63,560 to $98,090 — is substantial. Workers who hit that upper range tend to specialize. Architectural sheet metal work on commercial and institutional projects, industrial HVAC fabrication, and precision work in manufacturing facilities all command stronger rates than basic residential duct installation. Foremen, lead installers, and those who cross-train in welding, estimating, or project coordination also tend to climb faster through the pay brackets.

Missouri's geography plays a role too. The Kansas City and St. Louis metro areas concentrate the largest commercial and industrial construction projects in the state. Workers in those markets typically have more consistent access to high-end commercial work, which skews toward the upper percentiles. Rural and smaller markets may offer steady residential and light commercial work but tend to cap out closer to the median.

Overtime is a real factor in annual take-home pay. Sheet metal workers on large commercial builds often put in 50- to 60-hour weeks during peak construction seasons, which can meaningfully push annual earnings above the BLS figures — those numbers reflect straight-time wages across all weeks worked, not peak-season totals.

Some workers may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement — check with your local for current rates.

Missouri does not require a statewide sheet metal worker license, but individual municipalities — including Kansas City and St. Louis — may have their own licensing or registration requirements. Always verify local rules before taking on work in a new jurisdiction.

The BLS OEWS figures used here are based on May 2025 survey data and represent wages paid by employers. They do not capture off-the-books pay, per diem, tool allowances, or the full value of benefits packages, all of which can add meaningfully to total compensation for workers on larger commercial and industrial projects.