Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Nebraska

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.

NE Median Salary
$58,560/yr
-4% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
NE Employment
480
Sheet Metal Workers employed
NE Sponsors
3
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 Nebraska: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in Nebraska 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.

Nebraska pay vs. national

Median sheet metal worker wages in Nebraska are $58,560/year, -4% below the national median of $60,850. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Nebraska has 3 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 — Nebraska-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Nebraska Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$40,330
Median
$58,560
90th pct
$87,890
Middle 50% of workers earn $50,640$85,620

Current Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Openings in Nebraska

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

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

Organization City County
Lincoln Sheet Metal Workers JAC Omaha Douglas County
Omaha Sheet Metal JAC Omaha Douglas County
SHEET METAL WORKERS, SIOUX CITY JATC LU 3 Omaha Douglas County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Sheet Metal Worker openings

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

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Nebraska

The 3 Sheet Metal Worker-related registered sponsors in Nebraska 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 Nebraska?
The median annual wage for Sheet Metal Workers in Nebraska is $58,560 as of May 2024. Wages range from $40,330 at the 10th percentile to $87,890 at the 90th percentile.
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.
Should I do a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship or go to trade school?
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.
Where can I apply for a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Nebraska?
Contact one of the 3 Sheet Metal Worker-adjacent registered sponsors in Nebraska (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?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Nebraska, a first-year Sheet Metal Worker apprentice might earn around $29,280/yr (roughly half the $58,560 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 4-year 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 Nebraska →
Or see all 332 programs nationwide.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Nebraska

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