Back to the national Sheet Metal Worker profile

Sheet Metal Worker in North Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

North Carolina employs 2,780 sheet metal workers, with a statewide median of $50,730 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.

What Sheet metal workers Earn in North Carolina (May 2025)

North Carolina median pay: $50,730 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,280
Experienced (75th percentile): $61,490
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,020
Employed in North Carolina: 2,780
U.S. median (for comparison): $60,750 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for sheet metal workers in major North Carolina markets:

Greensboro: $55,860 (380 employed)
Asheville: $51,790 (110 employed)
Charlotte metro: $50,890 (700 employed)
Raleigh: $50,570 (470 employed)
Winston-Salem: $47,080 (170 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Carolina

Prices in North Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $50,730 median stretches to roughly $53,796 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Carolina (2024–2034)

North Carolina is projected to grow sheet metal workers employment +4.1%, faster than the +2.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 260 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Carolina License and Certification Requirements

SMART Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker (apprenticeship credential — no state license) — regulated by the No North Carolina state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential.

North Carolina does not require a state license for individual sheet metal workers. The entry path is a SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 4–5 years, 8,000+ OJT hours, covering HVAC ductwork fabrication/installation, architectural sheet metal, roofing, and industrial ventilation.
Apprentices receive training in blueprint reading, layout and fabrication, soldering, welding, and HVAC system installation. EPA 608 refrigerant handling certification is required for those working on HVAC refrigeration circuits.
Apply to the local SMART JATC. Major employers include HVAC mechanical contractors, commercial construction firms, and industrial ventilation companies. Sheet metal workers often overlap with HVAC mechanics on large commercial and industrial projects.

Official requirements: No North Carolina state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential →

Training in North Carolina

Contact SMART locals serving the Carolinas — contact smartunion.org for application timing. Sheet metal apprentices earn wages from day one. HVAC ductwork for large commercial buildings — hospitals, data centers, office towers — is the primary work in North Carolina's major metro areas.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Carolina include:

Alamance Community College — Certificate / Associate
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College — Certificate / Associate
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte — Certificate
Beaufort County Community College — Certificate / Associate

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 North Carolina?

The median wage for sheet metal workers in North Carolina is $50,730 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,280, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,020. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Sheet Metal Worker in North Carolina?

SMART Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker (apprenticeship credential — no state license), overseen by the No North Carolina state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential. North Carolina does not require a state license for individual sheet metal workers. The entry path is a SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship: 4–5 years, 8,000+ OJT hours, covering HVAC ductwork fabrication/installation, architectural sheet metal, roofing, and industrial ventilation.

Is being a Sheet Metal Worker a good career in North Carolina?

Sheet metal workers fabricate and install ductwork, roofing, and building components — skilled licensed work requiring physical presence on every job.

Which North Carolina metros pay sheet metal workers the most?

Among North Carolina metro areas, Greensboro leads at $55,860, followed by Asheville ($51,790), Charlotte metro ($50,890). 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 North Carolina?

Real North Carolina options include Alamance Community College, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte. Most sheet metal workers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Sheet Metal Worker a growing career in North Carolina?

North Carolina projects sheet metal workers employment to change +4.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 260 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), North Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2211. Licensing summary compiled from the No North Carolina state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential (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 North Carolina wages · North Carolina licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); 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.