SHEET METAL WORKER
Fabricates and installs ductwork, roofing, gutters, and architectural metal. The unseen trade that makes HVAC actually work. New York is not a right-to-work state — union density is higher than average and prevailing wage rules cover most public projects.
The License.
Check with New York directly — licensing for sheet metal workervaries by municipality in this state. There is no single state board that we can point to with confidence for this trade. Contact your local city or county building department, or check the state labor department's website.
The Money.
Pay data for this trade in New York. BLS metro-level data was not available for this combination. National medians shown below.
| Stage | Hourly range | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 apprentice | $17–$25/hr | $34,000 – $50,000 |
| Journeyman scale | $34–$54/hr | $68,000 – $108,000 |
| BLS national median | — | $58,780 |
| BLS top 10% | — | $95,450 |
New York is NOT a right-to-work state. Union scale in New York's major metros typically runs 20–40% above the national median. Prevailing wage laws apply to most public-sector projects.
The Path.
New York runs its own State Apprenticeship Agency. Programs are registered with the New York State Department of Labor — not the federal RAPIDS system. NYC also layers additional local licensing requirements on top. Find programs at labor.ny.gov.
- · SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation)
The Exam.
Licensing exams for sheet metal worker work typically cover the applicable mechanical code (IMC or state-specific), plumbing code (IPC or UPC depending on the state), and material standards. New York may adopt different code editions than adjacent states. Confirm the specific code edition before purchasing prep materials. Prevailing wage requirements in New York apply to most public-sector projects, which ties exam and licensure to wage scale compliance for contractors.
Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.
What recruiters won't tell you.
- 01Cuts. The trade is named after the material that cuts you. Wear gloves.
- 02Non-union 'sheet metal' jobs are sometimes glorified general labor. Confirm trade scope.
- 03Sheet metal lung disease (siderosis) and hearing loss are documented risks. PPE matters.
- 04New York City layers its own licensing on top of state licensing. If you plan to work in NYC, check NYC DOB requirements separately — state journeyman status is not enough on its own.