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

Sheet metal workers in Virginia earn a median of $52,220 per year, which works out to roughly $25.11 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the midpoint — half the sheet metal workers in the state earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or still building your hours, expect to land closer to the 25th percentile at $44,620 annually ($21.45/hr). Workers with solid experience and specialized skills push into the 75th percentile at $63,390 per year ($30.48/hr). These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025.

The $18,770 gap between the 25th and 75th percentile tells you something important: what you know and where you work inside Virginia matters a great deal. Sheet metal work spans a wide range of tasks — HVAC ductwork fabrication and installation, architectural metalwork, roofing panels, industrial ventilation systems, and specialty fabrication for commercial or government projects. Workers who can move between those sectors, read complex blueprints, and operate both hand tools and CNC equipment tend to command the higher end of that range.

Virginia's economy gives sheet metal workers a varied set of employers to choose from. The Northern Virginia corridor — Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William counties — runs heavy with federal construction, data center builds, and large commercial office projects. That concentration of high-value work tends to push wages above what you'd see in more rural parts of the state. The Hampton Roads region, with its naval and defense infrastructure, also generates steady sheet metal demand, particularly for industrial and marine applications. Central Virginia, including Richmond and its suburbs, sits somewhere in between, with a mix of commercial, residential, and light industrial work.

Experience is the most direct lever on your pay. A first-year apprentice completing formal training earns considerably less than someone with five or more years in the field. Virginia does not require a state license specifically for sheet metal workers in the way it does for electricians or plumbers, but completing an apprenticeship — typically four to five years combining on-the-job training with related technical instruction — is the standard path to journeyman-level wages. Employers often pay more to workers who can demonstrate proficiency in both the fabrication shop and the field, since that flexibility reduces scheduling headaches on complex jobs.

Overtime is a real factor in annual take-home pay, and the BLS figures above reflect straight-time wages only. Sheet metal workers on large commercial projects frequently log 50-hour weeks during peak construction seasons, typically spring through fall. At the median hourly rate of $25.11, a consistent 10 hours of overtime per week at 1.5x adds roughly $9,800 to annual earnings over a full year. Workers on government or prevailing wage projects may earn higher base rates set by the Davis-Bacon Act, which can shift total compensation above what the BLS median captures.

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

The BLS survey captures base wages but does not include the full picture of total compensation. Employer contributions to health insurance, retirement plans, and any tool allowances are not reflected in the wage figures above. When comparing job offers, factor those benefits in alongside the hourly rate — a job paying $24/hr with strong health coverage and a pension contribution can be worth more than one paying $27/hr with no benefits.

To move your pay toward the 75th percentile and beyond, the clearest paths are accumulating years of documented experience, picking up certifications in areas like welding (AWS credentials are recognized by many employers), and positioning yourself on larger, more complex projects where your skills command a premium. Foreman and superintendent roles exist for workers who combine technical skill with the ability to manage a crew, and those positions typically pay above the 75th percentile threshold.