Sheet Metal Worker salary in California
Sheet Metal Workers in California earn a median of $76,590 a year ($36.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,190 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $61,800. California ranks 9th of 50 states for sheet metal workers pay. There are 0.46 sheet metal workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $85,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sheet metal workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| 25th percentile | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Median | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| 75th percentile | $107,360 | $51.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,190 | $63.55 |
| Average (mean) | $85,580 | $41.14 |
Half of sheet metal workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,382.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,191.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,945.77 |
| Weekly | $1,472.88 |
| Hourly | $36.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Sheet Metal Worker salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,280 | 750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $102,660 | 880 |
| Salinas, CA | $83,470 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $80,080 | 1,480 |
| Visalia, CA | $79,910 | 100 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $76,710 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $74,820 | 580 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $74,690 | 170 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $74,440 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $73,860 | 200 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $72,710 | 2,440 |
| Modesto, CA | $70,870 | 80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $70,420 | 90 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $69,110 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $68,780 | 750 |
| Vallejo, CA | $65,760 | 120 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $62,520 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for sheet metal workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $98,550 |
| Hawaii | $96,350 |
| Alaska | $94,600 |
| New Jersey | $92,840 |
| Illinois | $86,630 |
| Massachusetts | $82,100 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Wisconsin | $77,760 |
| California | $76,590 |
| Ohio | $74,790 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $59,940 | $28.82 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2211. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sheet metal worker make in California?
The median salary for sheet metal workers in California is $76,590 a year, or $36.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sheet metal workers make in California?
The top 10% of sheet metal workers in California earn at least $132,190 a year. The top 25% earn $107,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for sheet metal workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,410 a year, and a quarter of sheet metal workers earn $59,220 or less.
How many sheet metal workers work in California?
About 8,390 sheet metal workers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.