Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Rhode Island

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.

RI Median Salary
$56,950/yr
-6% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
RI Employment
410
Sheet Metal Workers employed
RI Sponsors
8
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 Rhode Island: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island pay vs. national

Median sheet metal worker wages in Rhode Island are $56,950/year, -6% below the national median of $60,850. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Rhode Island has 8 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 — Rhode Island-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Rhode Island Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$49,380
Median
$56,950
90th pct
$81,430
Middle 50% of workers earn $49,700$79,930

Current Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Openings in Rhode Island

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

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

Organization City County
Air Metalworks Ltd Carolina Washington County
New England Sheet Metal Inc Cranston Providence County
Renaissance Sheetmetal LLC Cranston Providence County
Brouillette HVAC and Sheet Metal Inc East Providence Providence County
Harding Sheetmetal dba U G Nasons Middletown Newport County
Air Control Sheet Metal Pawtucket Providence County
Sheetmetal Workers Local 17 Providence Providence County
Sylvester Sheetmetal Inc West Warwick Kent County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Sheet Metal Worker openings

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

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Rhode Island

With 8 trade-specific sponsors in our directory, Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island?
The median annual wage for Sheet Metal Workers in Rhode Island is $56,950 as of May 2024. Wages range from $49,380 at the 10th percentile to $81,430 at the 90th percentile.
How long is a Sheet Metal Worker 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.
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 Rhode Island?
Our directory surfaces 8 Sheet Metal Worker-related registered sponsors in Rhode Island. Start with your local trade union hall, joint apprenticeship committee (JAC), or state apprenticeship agency. You can also search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP.
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 $28,475/yr in Rhode Island). 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 Rhode Island-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Rhode Island

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