Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in North Dakota

Wages, programs & career outlook
ND Median Salary
$78,910/yr
+30% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
ND Employment
380
Sheet Metal Workers employed
ND Sponsors
149
Registered programs

North Dakota Wage Spread

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

10th %ile
$45,060
25th %ile
$48,070
Median
$78,910
75th %ile
$80,920
90th %ile
$82,150

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in North Dakota

At $78,910 per year, North Dakota Sheet Metal Workers earn 64% more than the typical American worker ($48,060 national median). The wage premium reflects both the trade's skill requirements and North Dakota's labor market.

North Dakota Sheet Metal Workers earn $78,910/yr — a 30% premium over the $60,850 national median for the trade. Strong union presence or high demand likely drives the spread.

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.

Only 380 Sheet Metal Workers work in North Dakota — 0.3% of the national total. The limited scale can mean fewer formal apprenticeship programs, pushing some candidates toward nearby states with larger trade economies.

The Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship path spans 4 years in a time-based format. During those 8,000 hours, apprentices rotate between jobsite work under a journeyman and formal instruction in blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation.

North Dakota has 149 organizations running registered apprenticeship programs. Start with your local trade union or check apprenticeship.gov — the state's mid-range sponsor count means programs exist but may not be around every corner.

From $45,060 at the 10th percentile to $82,150 at the 90th, Sheet Metal Worker wages in North Dakota are fairly compressed. Flat wage structures are common in heavily unionized trades where pay scales are negotiated collectively.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in North Dakota

149 registered apprenticeship sponsors in North Dakota. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Turtle Mountain Community College Belcourt Rolette County
MAP MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS INC Beulah
APPLE CREEK ELECTRIC, INC. Bismarck Burleigh County
All Nations Oilfield Services, LLC Bismarck Burleigh County
BISMARCK-MANDAN AREA CARPENTERS JATC Bismarck Burleigh County
BISMARCK-MINOT SHEET METAL JATC Bismarck Burleigh County
BT Mills, Inc. Bismarck Burleigh County
Bismarck Aero Center ND Bismarck Burleigh County
Bismarck State College (Polytechnic Institute) Bismarck Burleigh County
ELECTRIC SYSTEMS, INC. Bismarck Burleigh County
FARGO/GRAND FORKS SHEET METAL JATC Bismarck Burleigh County
GREAT PLAINS NATURAL GAS Bismarck Burleigh County
HFIAW 133 - ND STATEWIDE ASBESTOS WORKERS Bismarck Burleigh County
Job Service North Dakota - Bismarck Workforce Center Bismarck
MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES JATC Bismarck Burleigh County
Midwest Lash Supply Bismarck
Miller Insulation Company, Inc. Bismarck
North Dakota Apprenticeship Office Bismarck
North Dakota Department of Corrections Bismarck Burleigh County
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Bismarck Burleigh County
North Dakota Information Technology Bismarck
North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association Bismarck Burleigh County
North Dakota Workforce Development Council Bismarck
One Massage Float Clinic & School Bismarck Burleigh County
Pye-Barker Fire & Safety Bismarck Burleigh County
+ 5 more sponsors in North Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Sheet Metal Worker salary in North Dakota?
The BLS reports a median wage of $78,910/yr for Sheet Metal Workers in North Dakota (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
How many years does it take to become a Sheet Metal Worker through apprenticeship?
A typical Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship lasts approximately 4 years (8,000 hours of on-the-job training). The program combines paid work experience with related classroom instruction.
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.
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 North Dakota?
There are 149 registered apprenticeship sponsors in North Dakota. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
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 $39,455/yr in North Dakota). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in North Dakota

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