Back to the national Sheet Metal Worker profile

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

Skilled trades

Texas employs 9,540 sheet metal workers, with a statewide median of $54,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Sheet metal workers Earn in Texas (May 2025)

Texas median pay: $54,240 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,010
Experienced (75th percentile): $63,450
Top earners (90th percentile): $78,400
Employed in Texas: 9,540
U.S. median (for comparison): $60,750 (May 2024)

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

San Antonio: $57,380 (680 employed)
Dallas–Fort Worth: $56,240 (2,890 employed)
El Paso: $49,960 (150 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Texas

Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $54,240 median stretches to roughly $55,860 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)

Texas is projected to grow sheet metal workers employment +5.3%, faster than the +2.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 950 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Texas License and Certification Requirements

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

Texas 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 Texas state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential →

Training in Texas

Contact SMART Local 67 (Houston), Local 68 (Dallas), Local 67 (San Antonio) 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 Texas's major metro areas.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:

Alvin Community College — Certificate / Associate
Amarillo College — Certificate / Associate
Angelina College — Certificate / Associate
Austin Community College District — 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 Texas?

The median wage for sheet metal workers in Texas is $54,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,010, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,400. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

SMART Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker (apprenticeship credential — no state license), overseen by the No Texas state individual sheet metal worker license — SMART apprenticeship is the credential. Texas 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 Texas?

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

Which Texas metros pay sheet metal workers the most?

Among Texas metro areas, San Antonio leads at $57,380, followed by Dallas–Fort Worth ($56,240), El Paso ($49,960). 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 Texas?

Real Texas options include Alvin Community College, Amarillo College, Angelina College. 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 Texas?

Texas projects sheet metal workers employment to change +5.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 950 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), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2211. Licensing summary compiled from the No Texas 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 Texas wages · Texas 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.