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Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salary in the United States

How much does a Sheetmetal Mechanic I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sheetmetal Mechanic I in the United States is $40,919 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

However, a Sheetmetal Mechanic I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46,904
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37,539 to $44,052
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,462
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salaries

A Sheetmetal Mechanic I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Sheetmetal Mechanic I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Sheetmetal Mechanic I (0-1 years): $40,919
  • Sheetmetal Mechanic II (1-3 years): $51,555
  • Sheetmetal Mechanic III (3-5 years): $58,151
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Sheetmetal Mechanic I0-1 years$40,919
Sheetmetal Mechanic II1-3 years$51,555
Sheetmetal Mechanic III3-5 years$58,151
View as Graph

How Do Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Sheetmetal Mechanic Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $45,306.
  • California: $45,134.
  • Massachusetts: $44,532.

Top Paying Cities for Sheetmetal Mechanic Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $51,611
  • San Francisco: $51,046
  • Oakland: $49,970

What Skills Can Increase a Sheetmetal Mechanic I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.3% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 3.2% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
  • Quality Checks (Mentioned in 1.9% Job Postings): Quality Check is the intensive review in the quality matters to test, inspect, or ask questions in order to find out the highest level of accuracy possible.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.3%
Hydraulics 3.2%
Quality Checks 1.9%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Sheetmetal Mechanic I's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Installation: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Analytical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $45,420
11%
Installation $45,011
10%
Analytical Skills $45,011
10%
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Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Sheetmetal Mechanic I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $45,783. While startup companies pay approximate $38,775.

Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $38,775
Growth Stage 51~500 $40,992
Established 501~5000 $44,222
Enterprise 5000+ $45,783

Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Sheetmetal Mechanic I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 105% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Sheetmetal Mechanic positions in Transportation or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Sheetmetal Mechanic I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Sheetmetal Mechanic I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$57,287$28.040%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$53,195$26.030%
Software & Networking$51,149$25.025%
Chemicals$49,103$24.020%
Healthcare$47,057$23.015%

How Education impacts a Sheetmetal Mechanic I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Sheetmetal Mechanic I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Sheetmetal Mechanic I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $39,695 and $42,636.

Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Sheetmetal Mechanic I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 15.4%
High School 53.8%
Associates 23.1%
Bachelors 7.7%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Sheetmetal Mechanic I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$37,539
Average $40,919/year
$44,052
$3,128
Average $3,410/month
$3,671
$722
Average $787/week
$847
$18
Average $20/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $44,052 $3,671 $847 $21
Average $40,919 $3,410 $787 $20
25th Percentile $37,539 $3,128 $722 $18

Sheetmetal Mechanic I Salary Growth & Career Path

Sheetmetal Mechanic I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Sheetmetal Mechanic I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Extrusion Operator, Sr. $54,604 33%
Injection Molding Machine Operator II $48,516 19%
Machine Operator II $45,476 11%
Milling Machine Operator II $52,128 27%

Most common benefits for Sheetmetal Mechanic I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Sheetmetal Mechanic I

Here are companies hiring for Sheetmetal Mechanic I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Sheetmetal Mechanic I

1. Where can a Sheetmetal Mechanic I earn the most?

A Sheetmetal Mechanic I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Sheetmetal Mechanic I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Sheetmetal Mechanic I is $51,611.

2. What is the highest pay for Sheetmetal Mechanic I?

The highest pay for Sheetmetal Mechanic I is $46,904.

3. What is the lowest pay for Sheetmetal Mechanic I?

The lowest pay for Sheetmetal Mechanic I is $34,462.

4. What are the responsibilities of Sheetmetal Mechanic I?

Sets up and operates machines such as drill presses, punch presses, saws, shears, bending rolls, brakes, grinders, and numerical control equipment to shape and alter sheetmetal according to specifications. Follows blueprints, rough sketches, or engineer drawings to shape metal accurately. Uses hand and power tools to shape, cut, and smooth metal and to blend seams. May set up and operate soldering and welding equipment. Typically requires a high school diploma. Typically requires a Sheetmetal Apprenticeship. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Sheetmetal Mechanic I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Sheetmetal Mechanic I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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