Sheet Metal Worker at Sheet Metal Workers, Local 100 Washington D. C.
at Sheet Metal Workers, Local 100 Washington D. C. in Suitland, MD
About This Program
Sheet Metal Workers Local 100 – Washington D.C., with operations based in Suitland, MD, sponsors this union Sheet Metal Worker apprenticeship through its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC). Apprentices enter the program earning wages from the first day and receive scheduled pay increases as they move through each year of training.
The apprenticeship is 5 years in duration, encompassing 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop skills in fabricating, installing, and maintaining sheet metal systems — including commercial HVAC ductwork, exhaust and ventilation equipment, and architectural metalwork — on job sites across the D.C. metro area. Technical instruction covers blueprint interpretation, trade mathematics, fabrication layout, welding, and safety compliance.
Graduates earn journeyworker status with Local 100, a union credential that opens doors to employment with signatory contractors throughout Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The union sheet metal trade offers competitive wages, benefits, and long-term career stability.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$26
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
640
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
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.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Sheet Metal Worker
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in Maryland
Sheet Metal Workers in Maryland are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
View full Marylandlicensing requirements →Reviews
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