Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Virginia

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.

VA Median Salary
$58,490/yr
-4% vs. national
National Median
$60,850/yr
VA Employment
3,870
Sheet Metal Workers employed
VA Sponsors
7
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 Virginia: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in Virginia 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.

Virginia pay vs. national

Median sheet metal worker wages in Virginia are $58,490/year, -4% below the national median of $60,850. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Virginia has 7 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 — Virginia-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Virginia Wage Spread

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

10th pct
$38,480
Median
$58,490
90th pct
$72,900
Middle 50% of workers earn $47,480$62,770

Current Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Openings in Virginia

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

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

Organization City County
JATC Sheetmetal Workers, Roanoke Area - LOCAL 100 Bedford Roanoke County
ACE SHEETMETAL WORKS INC. Norfolk Norfolk City
JAC Sheetmetal Industry Norfolk - LOCAL 100 Norfolk Norfolk City
JATC RICHMOND SHEETMETAL WORKERS - LOCAL 100 Richmond Richmond City
ACOUSTICAL SHEETMETAL COMPANY Va. Beach Virginia Beach City
Mid-Atlantic Sheet Metal Contractors Virginia Beach Virginia Beach City
RAGAN SHEET METAL Virginia Beach Virginia Beach City
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Sheet Metal Worker openings

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

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship in Virginia

The 7 Sheet Metal Worker-related registered sponsors in Virginia 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

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.
Where can I apply for a Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship in Virginia?
Contact one of the 7 Sheet Metal Worker-adjacent registered sponsors in Virginia (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?
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.

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 Virginia →
Or see all 332 programs nationwide.

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.