Sheet Metal Workers
On the Job
Sheet Metal Workers make, assemble, install, and repair products made of sheet metal. They work with ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and other products. They may cut, bend, shape, or straighten sheet metal.
Physical Demands 
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
- Assemble products or production equipment.
- Fabricate parts or components.
- Install building fixtures.
- Install green structural components, equipment or systems.
- Install plumbing or piping.
- Install roofing materials.
- Mark reference points on construction materials.
- Position structural components.
- Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
Typical Working Conditions
- Standing.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Working with a group or team.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Working indoors in non-environmentally controlled conditions.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.

This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.