Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Iowa

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.

IA Median Salary
$61,620/yr
+1% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
IA Employment
1,590
Sheet Metal Workers employed
IA Sponsors
6
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 Iowa: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in Iowa 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.

Iowa pay vs. national

Median sheet metal worker wages in Iowa are $61,620/year, +1% above the national median of $60,850. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Iowa has 6 registered apprenticeship sponsors 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 — Iowa-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Iowa Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$40,790
Median
$61,620
90th pct
$86,450
Middle 50% of workers earn $47,540$76,510

Current Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Openings in Iowa

No sheet metal worker apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Iowa. 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 Iowa

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

Organization City County
Cedar Rapids Sheet Metal JATC Local Union 263 Cedar Rapids Linn County
Oertel Metal Works Davenport
Central Iowa Sheet Metal Workers JATC LU 45 Des Moines Polk County
TinWorks Fabrication Dewitt
ADVANTAGE SHEET METAL (ABC) Dubuque Dubuque County
Missouri Valley Sheet Metal, Inc. (CEU) Logan Harrison County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Sheet Metal Worker openings

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

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Iowa

With 6 trade-specific sponsors in our directory, Iowa's Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship landscape is limited. Candidates should also consider nearby states or contact national union offices for referrals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Sheet Metal Workers earn in Iowa?
Sheet Metal Workers in Iowa earn a median salary of $61,620/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is above the national median of $60,850 for the trade.
How many years does it take to become a Sheet Metal Worker through 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?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Sheet Metal Workers combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
How do I find a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Iowa?
Contact one of the 6 Sheet Metal Worker-adjacent registered sponsors in Iowa (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
Do Sheet Metal Worker apprentices get paid during training?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $30,810/yr in Iowa). 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 Precision Metal Working programs in Iowa →
Or see all 332 programs nationwide.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Iowa

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