Occupation Details
Sheet Metal Workers
Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$39,820.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$63,900.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$87,820.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
6,800
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
8,240
+144 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
835
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- AC/DC welding power units
- Acoustic ear muffs or defenders
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Allen wrenches
- Ammeters
- Angle grinders
- Aviation snips
- Ball peen hammers
- Bandsaws
- Bar folders
- Beading machines
- Beam compasses
- Bolt cutters
- Box and pan brakes
- Bumping hammers
- Burring machines
- C clamps
- Calibrated flow hoods
- Calipers
- Carbon dioxide CO2 monitors
- Caulking guns
- Center punches
- Chain hoists
- Chalk lines
- Circular saws
- Clamp-on ammeters
- Cleat formers
- Cold chisels
- Cold-cut saws
Technology
- Applied Production ProFab
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- FCC Software AutoPOL Series
- Merry Mechanization SMP/IS
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- Siemens NX
- Spreadsheet software
- WiCAM PN4000
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- set up production equipment or machinery
- position, align, or level machines, equipment, or structures
- determine material or tool requirements
- use combination welding procedures
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- identify properties of metals for repair or fabrication activities
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- recognize characteristics of metals
- identify base metals for welding
- recognize characteristics of alloys
- lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
- make independent judgment in assembly procedures
- determine project methods and procedures
- fabricate ducting
- fabricate sheet metal parts or items
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
- operate sheet metal fabrication machines
- use hand or power tools
- set up and operate variety of machine tools
- use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- solder metal parts or components together
- use soldering equipment
- use arc welding equipment
- use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- erect scaffold
- move or fit heavy objects
- repair sheet metal products
- install sheet metal assemblies in supportive framework
- file, sand, grind, or polish metal or plastic objects
- cut metal or plastic
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- stretch, bend, straighten, shape, pound, or press metal or plastic
- read blueprints
- read production layouts
- read technical drawings
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products.
- Determine project requirements, such as scope, assembly sequences, or required methods or materials, using blueprints, drawings, or written or verbal instructions.
- Lay out, measure, and mark dimensions and reference lines on material, such as roofing panels, using calculators, scribes, dividers, squares, or rulers.
- Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.
- Develop or lay out patterns, using computerized metalworking equipment.
- Trim, file, grind, deburr, buff, or smooth surfaces, seams, or joints of assembled parts, using hand tools or portable power tools.
- Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems.
- Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications.
- Maneuver completed roofing units into position for installation.
- Finish parts, using hacksaws or hand, rotary, or squaring shears.
- Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.
- Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills.
- Inspect individual parts, assemblies, or installations, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, scales, or micrometers.
- Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation.
- Verify that heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed, installed, and calibrated in accordance with green certification standards, such as those of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
- Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.
- Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices.
- Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
- Secure metal roof panels in place by interlocking and fastening grooved panel edges.
- Perform building commissioning activities by completing mechanical inspections of a building's water, lighting, or heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
- Fasten roof panel edges or machine-made moldings to structures by nailing or welding.
- Perform sheet metal work necessary for solar panel installations.
- Install green architectural sheet metal components, such as cool roofs or hot or cold walls.
- Construct components for high-performance wind turbine systems.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Sheet metal workers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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