Sheet Metal Worker in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Massachusetts employs 2,890 sheet metal workers, with a statewide median of $82,100 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.
What Sheet metal workers Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)
- Massachusetts median pay
- $82,100 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $46,440
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $92,630
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $121,050
- Employed in Massachusetts
- 2,890
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $60,750 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for sheet metal workers in major Massachusetts markets:
- Boston
- $82,550 (2,330 employed)
- Worcester
- $77,820 (290 employed)
- Springfield
- $76,580 (200 employed)
- Providence
- $65,100 (520 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts
Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $82,100 median is worth closer to $77,599 once higher local prices are factored in.
Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements
SMART Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker credential (no state license) — regulated by the No Massachusetts state license required for sheet metal workers.
- Massachusetts does not require a state license for sheet metal workers. The primary path is a SMART/SMACNA Joint Apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering HVAC duct fabrication, architectural sheet metal, and welding.
- Apprenticeship includes OSHA 30 and rigging certifications. Commercial HVAC duct work is the dominant application in Massachusetts' dense commercial and institutional construction market.
- Apply through SMART Local 17 (Boston) or SMART Local 63 (Worcester/Springfield) for apprenticeship opportunities. Commercial construction contractors, HVAC mechanical contractors, and roofing/architectural metal contractors are the main employers.
Official requirements: No Massachusetts state license required for sheet metal workers →
Training in Massachusetts
SMART Local 17 (Boston) is one of the larger sheet metal locals in New England. Boston's ongoing major construction projects — hospitals, biotech campuses, universities, high-rise residential towers — create consistent HVAC duct work demand. Massachusetts sheet metal workers are among the highest-paid in the country, with strong benefits through the SMACNA agreement.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:
- Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology — Certificate
- Bristol Community College — Certificate
- Quinsigamond Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Southeastern Technical Institute — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like precision fabrication work and are comfortable with rooftops, ladders, and construction sites.
Think twice if: Sharp metal edges, heights, loud fabrication shops, and seasonal outdoor work sound unappealing.
Why it's resilient: Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, and building components — skilled licensed work requiring physical presence on every job.
First Steps
Look for SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) apprenticeship openings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sheet metal workers make in Massachusetts?
The median wage for sheet metal workers in Massachusetts is $82,100 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,440, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $121,050. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Sheet Metal Worker in Massachusetts?
SMART Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker credential (no state license), overseen by the No Massachusetts state license required for sheet metal workers. Massachusetts does not require a state license for sheet metal workers. The primary path is a SMART/SMACNA Joint Apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering HVAC duct fabrication, architectural sheet metal, and welding.
Is being a Sheet Metal Worker a good career in Massachusetts?
Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, and building components — skilled licensed work requiring physical presence on every job.
Which Massachusetts metros pay sheet metal workers the most?
Among Massachusetts metro areas, Boston leads at $82,550, followed by Worcester ($77,820), Springfield ($76,580). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Sheet Metal Worker in Massachusetts?
Real Massachusetts options include Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Bristol Community College, Quinsigamond Community College. Most sheet metal workers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2211. Licensing summary compiled from the No Massachusetts state license required for sheet metal workers (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts licensing/certification source
Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.