Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Delaware

Wages, programs & career outlook

Sheet metal workers fabricate and install the ductwork, gutters, metal roofing, and specialty panels used in HVAC and architectural applications. Expect shop fabrication, field installation, and a mix of hand tools, power shears, and CNC cutting equipment.

DE Median Salary
$63,850/yr
+5% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
DE Employment
290
Sheet Metal Workers employed
DE Sponsors
1
Registered programs
Training Term
4.0 yrs
Time-Based
Job Growth
2.4%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
10,600
Nationally, per yr

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Delaware: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in Delaware combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 4.0 years and follow a time-based structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

Delaware pay vs. national

Median sheet metal worker wages in Delaware are $63,850/year, +5% above the national median of $60,850. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Delaware has 1 registered apprenticeship sponsor for sheet metal worker listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.4% job growth for sheet metal workers nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 10,600 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — Delaware-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Delaware Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$37,440
Median
$63,850
90th pct
$82,620
Middle 50% of workers earn $44,050$82,120

Current Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Openings in Delaware

No sheet metal worker apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Delaware. The sponsors listed below accept applications on a rolling basis — contact them directly. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Sponsors in Delaware

1 sheet metal worker-related registered sponsor identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for Delaware. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current sheet metal worker apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
Ducts Unlimited, Inc Smyrna New Castle County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Sheet Metal Worker openings

Filter by occupation code 47-2211 and state DE for the most relevant results.

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Delaware

The 1 Sheet Metal Worker-related registered sponsor in Delaware mean apprenticeship programs exist but aren't abundant. Building relationships with local contractors and trade unions is often more effective than waiting for formal application windows.

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.
How do I find a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Delaware?
Contact one of the 1 Sheet Metal Worker-adjacent registered sponsor in Delaware (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
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.

Prefer Trade School Instead?

Apprenticeships pay from day one, but the classroom-first path may fit better for some. Sheet Metal Workers also train through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost.

Compare 332 Precision Metal Working programs nationwide →
Too few Delaware-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

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.