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

The median sheet metal worker in Pennsylvania earns $61,400 per year, which works out to about $29.52 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the midpoint — half the state's sheet metal workers earn more, half earn less. Where you land depends on how long you've been at it, what sector you work in, and where in Pennsylvania you're based.

At the 25th percentile, pay comes in at $50,650 a year, or roughly $24.35 an hour. Workers at this level are typically newer to the trade — apprentices finishing up, or journeyworkers a year or two out who haven't yet built the specialized skills that push pay higher. It's a livable wage, but there's a clear ceiling if you stay at entry-level tasks.

The jump to the 75th percentile is substantial. Sheet metal workers in the top quarter of Pennsylvania's wage distribution earn $87,610 annually — about $42.12 an hour. That's a $37,000 gap between the bottom and top quartiles, which tells you this trade rewards experience and specialization heavily. Workers at the top tend to have 10 or more years on the job, strong estimating or supervisory chops, or expertise in high-demand areas like HVAC fabrication, industrial ductwork, roofing systems, or architectural sheet metal.

Pennsylvania's geography matters more than most people realize. The Philadelphia metro and its suburbs have a dense commercial and industrial construction base — hospitals, data centers, manufacturing plants — that keeps demand for sheet metal workers consistently high and pushes wages toward or above the median. Pittsburgh's industrial corridor and its ongoing infrastructure and energy projects similarly support solid wages. Smaller metros like Allentown, Harrisburg, and Scranton tend to cluster closer to the median, with rural areas often sitting below it due to lower project volume and more competition for available work.

Overtime is a real factor in this trade. Sheet metal work in construction often runs hard when a project is on deadline — 50- and 60-hour weeks aren't unusual during peak seasons, typically spring through early fall. At the median hourly rate of $29.52, a single 10-hour overtime day adds roughly $148 more than a standard day (time-and-a-half kicks in after 40 hours under federal law). Workers who regularly pick up overtime can meaningfully outpace the annual figures the BLS reports, since OEWS data is based on straight-time equivalent wages.

Apprenticeship is the standard entry point for this trade in Pennsylvania. Most apprenticeships run four to five years and combine on-the-job hours with classroom instruction covering layout, blueprint reading, fabrication, and installation. Pay scales during apprenticeship typically start around 40–50% of journeyworker rates and step up each year. Completing a formal apprenticeship rather than working as a helper is the single clearest path to reaching journeyworker pay — and ultimately to the higher end of the wage scale.

Specialization also moves the needle. Sheet metal workers who cross-train in welding, earn NATE or EPA 608 certifications, or develop estimating and project management skills consistently report higher pay. Foreman and superintendent roles at signatory contractors can push total compensation well above the 75th percentile figure, though supervisory pay is not broken out separately in this BLS dataset.

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

The BLS OEWS figures here are based on May 2025 survey data and represent wages for workers classified under SOC code 47-2211 (Sheet Metal Workers). The data captures base wages but does not include overtime earnings, shift differentials, employer contributions to health and retirement benefits, or tool and vehicle allowances — all of which can add meaningfully to total compensation for workers at established contractors.