Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in South Dakota

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.

SD Median Salary
$49,780/yr
-18% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
SD Employment
540
Sheet Metal Workers employed
SD Sponsors
1
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 Dakota: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in South Dakota 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 Dakota pay vs. national

Median sheet metal worker wages in South Dakota are $49,780/year, -18% below the national median of $60,850. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

South Dakota has 1 registered apprenticeship sponsor 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 Dakota-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

South Dakota Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$36,880
Median
$49,780
90th pct
$82,740
Middle 50% of workers earn $42,800$58,670

Current Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Openings in South Dakota

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

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

Organization City County
Paulson Sheet Metal, Inc Mitchell Davison County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Sheet Metal Worker openings

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

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in South Dakota

The 1 Sheet Metal Worker-related registered sponsor in South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
The BLS reports a median wage of $49,780/yr for Sheet Metal Workers in South Dakota (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?
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.
What's the difference between a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship and 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.
Where can I apply for a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in South Dakota?
Contact one of the 1 Sheet Metal Worker-adjacent registered sponsor in South Dakota (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 South Dakota, a first-year Sheet Metal Worker apprentice might earn around $24,890/yr (roughly half the $49,780 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 332 Precision Metal Working programs nationwide →
Too few South Dakota-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in South Dakota

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