Sheet Metal Workers Go Back to List Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software

Tasks
	Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products.
	Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.
	Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications.
	Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.
	Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills.
	Trim, file, grind, deburr, buff, or smooth surfaces, seams, or joints of assembled parts, using hand tools or portable power tools.
	Finish parts, using hacksaws or hand, rotary, or squaring shears.
	Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
	Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.
	Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation.

Skills
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
	Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Knowledge
	Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
	Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

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Education & Training   Education:   These occupations usually require a high school diploma.   Related Experience:   Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $71,371.00 $34.31  $20.77  $24.58 - $42.00  Bridgeport/Stamford $68,529.00 $32.95  $20.22  $23.07 - $39.64  Danbury $63,275.00 $30.42  $17.10  $18.28 - $40.43  Hartford $77,866.00 $37.44  $25.96  $31.79 - $45.02  New Haven $66,538.00 $31.99  $17.38  $18.43 - $43.17  New London/Norwich $65,112.00 $31.30  $21.41  $23.74 - $36.68

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   182   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.