Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Tennessee

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.

TN Median Salary
$53,680/yr
-12% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
TN Employment
2,040
Sheet Metal Workers employed
TN 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 Tennessee: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in Tennessee 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.

Tennessee pay vs. national

Median sheet metal worker wages in Tennessee are $53,680/year, -12% below the national median of $60,850. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Tennessee 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 — Tennessee-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Tennessee Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$36,680
Median
$53,680
90th pct
$76,010
Middle 50% of workers earn $42,320$68,350

Current Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Openings in Tennessee

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

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

Organization City County
Knoxville Area Sheet Metal JAC Knoxville Knox County
MEMPHIS SHEET METAL WORKERS JAC Memphis Shelby County
Nashville Sheetmetal JATC Nashville Davidson County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Sheet Metal Worker openings

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

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Tennessee

With 3 trade-specific sponsors in our directory, Tennessee'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 Tennessee?
The median annual wage for Sheet Metal Workers in Tennessee is $53,680 as of May 2024. Wages range from $36,680 at the 10th percentile to $76,010 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.
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.
How do I find a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Tennessee?
Our directory surfaces 3 Sheet Metal Worker-related registered sponsors in Tennessee. 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 $26,840/yr in Tennessee). 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 Precision Metal Working programs in Tennessee →
Or see all 332 programs nationwide.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Tennessee

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