Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in New Mexico

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.

NM Median Salary
$59,220/yr
-3% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
NM Employment
650
Sheet Metal Workers employed
NM Sponsors
2
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 New Mexico: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in New Mexico 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.

New Mexico pay vs. national

Median sheet metal worker wages in New Mexico are $59,220/year, -3% below the national median of $60,850. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

New Mexico has 2 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 — New Mexico-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

New Mexico Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$36,490
Median
$59,220
90th pct
$91,370
Middle 50% of workers earn $47,510$82,220

Current Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Openings in New Mexico

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

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

Organization City County
El Paso/Southern New Mexico Sheetmetal Workers Albuquerque Bernalillo County
SHEET METAL WORKERS LU 49 JATC Albuquerque Bernalillo County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Sheet Metal Worker openings

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

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in New Mexico

The 2 Sheet Metal Worker-related registered sponsors in New Mexico 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

How much do Sheet Metal Workers make in New Mexico?
The BLS reports a median wage of $59,220/yr for Sheet Metal Workers in New Mexico (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?
Most Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeships run 4 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
Should I do a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship or go to trade school?
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 New Mexico?
Contact one of the 2 Sheet Metal Worker-adjacent registered sponsors in New Mexico (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?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In New Mexico, a first-year Sheet Metal Worker apprentice might earn around $29,610/yr (roughly half the $59,220 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 New Mexico →
Or see all 332 programs nationwide.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in New Mexico

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