Sheet Metal Worker at (Pittsburgh) Sheet Metal Works

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at (Pittsburgh) Sheet Metal Works in Pittsburgh, PA

About This Program

Pittsburgh Sheet Metal Works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offers an employer-sponsored Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship for individuals entering the trade in the western Pennsylvania region. This non-union program provides five years of structured, paid training designed to develop fully capable sheet metal craftspeople for the local construction and manufacturing sectors.

The program combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work directly on job sites and in fabrication shops, learning to cut, form, weld, and install sheet metal products including HVAC ductwork, custom fabrications, and building components. Technical instruction covers blueprint reading, layout, welding, and safety practices aligned with industry standards.

Upon completing all program requirements, graduates become qualified Sheet Metal Workers ready to take on journeyman-level responsibilities. Pittsburgh's active commercial and industrial construction market creates consistent demand for skilled sheet metal tradespeople, and this apprenticeship provides a direct route into that workforce.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$26

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

8,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

640

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

5 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.

How to Apply

Sheet Metal Worker Career Outlook

National Median

$26.33/hr

~$54,766.4/yr

Apprentice Start

$16/hr

Earn while you learn

Job Outlook

Sheet metal worker employment is expected to grow steadily, driven by HVAC system demand in new construction and energy-efficiency retrofits. The transition to high-efficiency systems and commercial building upgrades creates ongoing need for skilled fabricators and installers. Workers with welding and CAD skills have the strongest prospects.

What to Expect as a Sheet Metal Worker Apprentice

Duration

5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction

On-the-Job Training

~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)

Classroom Instruction

640 hours of related technical instruction (~128 hours/year)

Paid Training

You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress

Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Sheet Metal Worker

Apprenticeship

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration5 years
Starting wage$16.00/hr
Journeyman wage$26.33/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

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