Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in South Carolina

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.

SC Median Salary
$46,080/yr
-24% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
SC Employment
1,460
Sheet Metal Workers employed
SC 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 South Carolina: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in South Carolina 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.

South Carolina pay vs. national

Median sheet metal worker wages in South Carolina are $46,080/year, -24% below the national median of $60,850. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

South Carolina 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 — South Carolina-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

South Carolina Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$29,540
Median
$46,080
90th pct
$67,700
Middle 50% of workers earn $36,980$56,940

Current Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Openings in South Carolina

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

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

Organization City County
SHEET METAL WORKERS LU 399 AND MCGILL AIRFLOW CORPORATION Fountain Inn Laurens County
Alpha Sheet Metal Works, Inc. Ladson Charleston County
CHAS SHEET MTL JAC North Charleston Charleston County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Sheet Metal Worker openings

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

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in South Carolina

With 3 trade-specific sponsors in our directory, South Carolina'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 is the average Sheet Metal Worker salary in South Carolina?
The BLS reports a median wage of $46,080/yr for Sheet Metal Workers in South Carolina (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
What is the length of a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship program?
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.
What's the difference between a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship and 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 South Carolina?
Our directory surfaces 3 Sheet Metal Worker-related registered sponsors in South Carolina. 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?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In South Carolina, a first-year Sheet Metal Worker apprentice might earn around $23,040/yr (roughly half the $46,080 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 South Carolina →
Or see all 332 programs nationwide.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in South Carolina

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