Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Virginia

Wages, programs & career outlook
VA Median Salary
$58,490/yr
-4% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
VA Employment
3,870
Sheet Metal Workers employed
VA Sponsors
2435
Registered programs

Virginia Wage Spread

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

10th %ile
$38,480
25th %ile
$47,480
Median
$58,490
75th %ile
$62,770
90th %ile
$72,900

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Virginia

Sheet Metal Workers in Virginia earn $58,490/yr at the median — 22% above the $48,060 national average across all occupations. A solid middle-class income that typically comes without student debt.

At $58,490 per year, Virginia pays roughly the national average for Sheet Metal Workers. Neither a wage premium nor a discount — average market conditions.

Employment growth for Sheet Metal Workers (2.4%) won't make headlines, but the underlying math still works: 10,600 workers need replacing every year, and apprenticeship is the primary training pipeline.

Virginia employs 3,870 Sheet Metal Workers, accounting for 2.9% of the national workforce — a mid-sized market with enough employer density to support active apprenticeship placement.

Expect a 4-year commitment for a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship: 8,000 hours of supervised field work alongside coursework in blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation. Pay starts lower but scales up — most programs bump wages every six months.

Finding a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Virginia starts with a broad search — 2,435 organizations sponsor registered programs. Community colleges, trade unions, and independent employers all participate.

From $38,480 at the 10th percentile to $72,900 at the 90th, Sheet Metal Worker wages in Virginia are fairly compressed. Flat wage structures are common in heavily unionized trades where pay scales are negotiated collectively.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Virginia

2435 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Virginia. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Abingdon Center Abingdon
Alana's Hair Place LLC Abingdon Washington County
Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center Abingdon
Commonwealth Senior Living at Abingdon Abingdon
EO Companies Abingdon Washington County
Eye Physicians of Southwest Abingdon Washington County
Pioneer Chevrolet Abingdon Washington County
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Abingdon Washington County
Vanity Beauty Lounge Abingdon Washington County
Virginia Career Works--Bristol Center Abingdon
Walmart Vision Center, Abingdon 0154 Abingdon Washington County
Wize Solutions Abingdon Washington County
SHEPHERD KGM SERVICES LLC Aldie Loudoun County
ABM Alexandria Alexandria City
American Boiler, Inc Alexandria Fairfax County
B-SAR Electric, LLC Alexandria Fairfax County
BECKER ELECTRIC CO., INC. Alexandria Alexandria
Beauthuyfy Salon LLC Alexandria Alexandria City
Blush Salon LLC Alexandria Alexandria City
CT Cuts Alexandria Alexandria City
City of Alexandria Virginia Sanitation Authority Alexandria Alexandria City
Costco Vision Center 1115 Alexandria Alexandria Fairfax County
Dawn Marie's Visage LLC Alexandria Alexandria City
Depeyrot Partners LLP Alexandria Alexandria City
ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS LLC. Alexandria Fairfax County
+ 5 more sponsors in Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Sheet Metal Workers earn in Virginia?
Sheet Metal Workers in Virginia earn a median salary of $58,490/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $60,850 for the trade.
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.
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.
What is the job outlook for Sheet Metal Workers?
The BLS projects 2.4% employment growth for Sheet Metal Workers through 2034 — modest demand. About 10600 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
Where can I apply for a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Virginia?
Contact one of the 2435 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Virginia, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
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 $29,245/yr in Virginia). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Sheet Metal Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Virginia

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