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Sheetmetal Mechanic III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sheetmetal Mechanic III in the United States is $58,151 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,089
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,637 to $64,923
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,617
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Sheetmetal Mechanic III Salaries

A Sheetmetal Mechanic III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Sheetmetal Mechanic III'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 III 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $64,385.
  • California: $64,141.
  • Massachusetts: $63,286.

Top Paying Cities for Sheetmetal Mechanic IIIs

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: $73,346
  • San Francisco: $72,543
  • Oakland: $71,014

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coaching (Mentioned in 5% Job Postings): Coaching is a form of development in which an experienced person, called a coach, supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.
  • Metal Fabrication (Mentioned in 10% Job Postings): Metal fabrication is defined as creating products or structures by cutting, bending, and/or assembling metal material.
  • CNC (Mentioned in 5% Job Postings): Numerical control is the automated control of machining tools by means of a computer. A CNC machine processes a piece of material to meet specifications by following coded programmed instructions
Skills Demand Percentage
Coaching 5%
Metal Fabrication 10%
CNC 5%
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 III's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Safety Procedures: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Installation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $72,107
24%
Safety Procedures $70,363
21%
Installation $64,548
11%
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Sheetmetal Mechanic III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Sheetmetal Mechanic III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $65,063. While startup companies pay approximate $55,104.

Sheetmetal Mechanic III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $55,104
Growth Stage 51~500 $58,255
Established 501~5000 $62,845
Enterprise 5000+ $65,063

Sheetmetal Mechanic III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Sheetmetal Mechanic III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Sheetmetal Mechanic positions in Healthcare or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Sheetmetal Mechanic III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Sheetmetal Mechanic III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$69,781$34.020%
Aerospace & Defense$66,874$32.015%
Biotechnology$66,874$32.015%
Chemicals$63,966$31.010%
Energy & Utilities$63,966$31.010%

How Education impacts a Sheetmetal Mechanic III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Sheetmetal Mechanic III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $56,233 and $60,608.

Sheetmetal Mechanic III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Sheetmetal Mechanic III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 56.3%
High School 56.3%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 18.8%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Sheetmetal Mechanic III'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
$52,637
Average $58,151/year
$64,923
$4,386
Average $4,846/month
$5,410
$1,012
Average $1,118/week
$1,249
$25
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,923 $5,410 $1,249 $31
Average $58,151 $4,846 $1,118 $28
25th Percentile $52,637 $4,386 $1,012 $25

Sheetmetal Mechanic III Salary Growth & Career Path

Sheetmetal Mechanic III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Sheetmetal Mechanic III, 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
Machine Operator IV $55,439 -5%
Machinist IV $73,377 26%
CNC Machine Operator IV $71,341 23%
Packaging Supervisor $84,536 45%

Most common benefits for Sheetmetal Mechanic III

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

Common company salaries for Sheetmetal Mechanic III

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

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FAQ about Sheetmetal Mechanic III

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

A Sheetmetal Mechanic III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Sheetmetal Mechanic III is $73,346.

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

The highest pay for Sheetmetal Mechanic III is $71,089.

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

The lowest pay for Sheetmetal Mechanic III is $47,617.

4. What are the responsibilities of Sheetmetal Mechanic III?

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 independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Sheetmetal Mechanic III roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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