Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Delaware

Wages, programs & career outlook
DE Median Salary
$63,850/yr
+5% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
DE Employment
290
Sheet Metal Workers employed
DE Sponsors
518
Registered programs

Delaware Wage Spread

Annual wages for Sheet Metal Workers in Delaware across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$37,440
25th %ile
$44,050
Median
$63,850
75th %ile
$82,120
90th %ile
$82,620

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Delaware

At $63,850/yr, Delaware Sheet Metal Workers earn a meaningful premium over the $48,060 national average — 33% more without requiring a bachelor's degree.

The $63,850 median in Delaware is within striking distance of the $60,850 national figure. Average wages, but apprenticeships here may still offer strong local placement.

Job growth for Sheet Metal Workers is projected at 2.4% through 2034 — slow but positive. Most of the 10,600 annual openings come from workers retiring rather than industry expansion.

Delaware's 290 Sheet Metal Workers represent just 0.2% of the national workforce. A thinner market means fewer apprenticeship sponsors and potentially longer waits for program openings.

Expect a 4-year commitment for a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship: 8,000 hours of supervised field work alongside coursework in blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation. Pay starts lower but scales up — most programs bump wages every six months.

Prospective Sheet Metal Worker apprentices in Delaware have 518 registered sponsors to explore — from union locals to employer-sponsored programs. That depth of options means most regions of the state have accessible entry points.

The earning trajectory in Delaware is solid: a Sheet Metal Worker starting near $37,440/yr can work toward $82,620 at the 90th percentile. The $45,180 progression typically takes 10-15 years of steady advancement.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Delaware

518 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Delaware. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
D & T Heating & Cooling Bear New Castle County
Flowrite Plumbing Bear New Castle County
HNS Plumbing Services LLC Bear New Castle County
Highfield Electric, LLC Bear New Castle County
JJID, Inc. Bear New Castle County
Pace Services LLC Bear New Castle County
Pinnacle Fabricators Bear New Castle County
Reybold Construction Group, LLC Bear New Castle County
Suppi Construction Inc Beat New Castle County
Custom Mechanical, Inc. Bethany Beach Sussex County
Amp Electric, LLC Bridgeville Kent County
Arctec Air Heating & Cooling Bridgeville Kent County
Bridgeville Public Library Bridgeville
J & S Plumbing, Inc. Bridgeville Sussex County
Town of Bridgeville Bridgeville
Alpha Omega DPC Camden
Eastern Shore Energy, Inc. Camden Kent County
Maffia Electric Camden Wyoming Kent County
Power Plus Electrical Contracting, Inc. Cheswold Kent County
Charles Moon Plumbing & Heating Claymont New Castle County
Four Seasons Plumbing Company Claymont New Castle County
Independent Electrical Service Claymont New Castle County
Parker Construction Claymont New Castle County
Bright Electrical Solutions LLC Clayton Kent County
Brothers, Inc. Clayton New Castle County
+ 5 more sponsors in Delaware

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Sheet Metal Worker salary in Delaware?
The BLS reports a median wage of $63,850/yr for Sheet Metal Workers in Delaware (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
How long is a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship?
The standard Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship is 4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom education. Some programs offer accelerated paths for candidates with prior experience.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Sheet Metal Workers?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Sheet Metal Workers, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
What is the job outlook for Sheet Metal Workers?
Demand for Sheet Metal Workers is modest, with 2.4% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
How do I find a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Delaware?
Contact one of the 518 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Delaware, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
How much do Sheet Metal Worker apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $31,925/yr in Delaware). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Delaware

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.