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

Skilled trades

Virginia employs 4,520 sheet metal workers, with a statewide median of $52,220 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Sheet metal workers Earn in Virginia (May 2025)

Virginia median pay: $52,220 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,440
Experienced (75th percentile): $63,390
Top earners (90th percentile): $73,640
Employed in Virginia: 4,520
U.S. median (for comparison): $60,750 (May 2024)

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

Virginia Beach–Norfolk: $63,390 (2,080 employed)
Washington DC metro: $61,270 (1,840 employed)
Richmond: $48,010 (610 employed)
Lynchburg: $47,090 (140 employed)
Charlottesville: $46,940
Roanoke: $45,980 (130 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Virginia

Prices in Virginia run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 101.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $52,220 median is worth closer to $51,652 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Virginia (2024–2034)

Virginia is projected to grow sheet metal workers employment +4.6%, faster than the +2.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 300 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Virginia License and Certification Requirements

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

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

Training in Virginia

Contact SMART Local 100 (DC/NoVA area), Local 398 (Richmond/Hampton Roads) 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 Virginia's major metro areas.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Virginia include:

Advanced Technology Institute — Certificate / Associate
Brightpoint Community College — Certificate
Central Virginia Community College — Certificate
Danville Community College — 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 Virginia?

The median wage for sheet metal workers in Virginia is $52,220 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,440, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $73,640. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

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

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

Which Virginia metros pay sheet metal workers the most?

Among Virginia metro areas, Virginia Beach–Norfolk leads at $63,390, followed by Washington DC metro ($61,270), Richmond ($48,010). 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 Virginia?

Real Virginia options include Advanced Technology Institute, Brightpoint Community College, Central Virginia Community 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 Virginia?

Virginia projects sheet metal workers employment to change +4.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 300 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), Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2211. Licensing summary compiled from the No Virginia 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 Virginia wages · Virginia 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.