2024 Data

Sheet Metal Worker Salary in Seattle, WA: $77,323 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $37.17/hour | $49,899 - $110,521 range

Median Annual Salary

$77,323

25.5% vs national

Hourly Rate

$37.17

/hour

Jobs in Area

204

employed

Salary Range$49,899 - $110,521
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Seattle, WA

$77,323

San Francisco, CA

$84,585

$7,262 more (+9.4%)

in San Francisco, CA

Sheet Metal Worker Salary Range in Seattle, WA

Annual Salary Range

$77k

$50k

10th percentile

$63k

25th

$94k

75th

$111k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$49,899$23.99
25th Percentile$62,678$30.13
Median (50th Percentile)$77,323$37.17
75th Percentile$93,761$45.08
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$110,521$53.14
Average (Mean)$84,858$40.80

Sheet Metal Worker Market Insights for Seattle, WA

Compensation Overview

Sheet Metal Workers in Seattle, WA are among the highest paid in both the nation and Washington. This premium reflects the competitive local market and strong demand from employers seeking top talent in the region.

Local Market Context

Seattle, WA is a high cost-of-living metro area, which typically correlates with higher nominal salaries. While wages may appear higher, purchasing power should be carefully evaluated against housing, transportation, and everyday expenses in the Washington market.

Cost of Living Impact

Cost of living adjustments reduce effective purchasing power by approximately 33% compared to national averages. When evaluating opportunities in Seattle, WA, factor in higher expenses for housing and daily necessities.

Career Outlook

The Sheet Metal Worker profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 121% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 43% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

+26%

vs National Avg

+18%

vs State Avg

121%

Salary Range

204

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Sheet Metal Worker salary growth in Seattle, WA based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$49,899

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$62,678

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$77,323

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$93,761

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$110,521

/year

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Sheet Metal Worker Job Market in Seattle, WA

Where Sheet Metal Workers Work

Sheet Metal Workers work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Seattle, WA compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Seattle, WA

  • Research major employers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Washington
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Seattle, WA market rate of $77,323
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $49,899 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median sheet metal worker salary in Seattle, WA is $77,323 per year ($37.17/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $49,899 for entry-level positions to $110,521 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level sheet metal workers in Seattle, WA typically start at around $49,899 per year ($23.99/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $77,323 within 3-5 years.

Sheet Metal Workers in Seattle, WA earn a median hourly wage of $37.17 per hour. Hourly rates range from $23.99/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $53.14/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $49,899 and $110,521.

The median sheet metal worker salary of $77,323 in Seattle, WA is significantly above the national median of $61,600 (25.5% higher). However, the cost of living is 50% above the national average, which affects purchasing power. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of sheet metal workers in the area earn more and half earn less.

Sheet Metal Workers in Seattle, WA earn significantly above the national average. The local median salary of $77,323 is 25.5% higher than the national median of $61,600. However, the cost of living is 50% above the national average, which affects purchasing power. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $51,686.

The top 10% of sheet metal workers in Seattle, WA earn $110,521 or more per year ($53.14/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $93,761, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost sheet metal worker salary in Seattle, WA include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $77,323, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($93,761) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Seattle, WA has a specialized job market for sheet metal workers, with approximately 204 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $77,323 is significantly above the national average. However, the cost of living is 50% above the national average, which affects purchasing power. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your sheet metal worker salary to these Seattle, WA benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $49,899, 25th percentile: $62,678, 50th percentile (median): $77,323, 75th percentile: $93,761, 90th percentile (top earners): $110,521. If you earn more than $77,323, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $77,323 median base salary, sheet metal workers in Seattle, WA typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced sheet metal workers with 5-10 years in Seattle, WA typically earn $93,761 (75th percentile) to $110,521 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $110,521. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $77,323.

Sheet Metal Workers in Seattle, WA can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($49,899) to median ($77,323) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($110,521) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $60,622 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

47-2211

SOC Classification

Sample Size

204

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Sheet Metal Worker in Seattle, WA

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Median: $77,323/yr

How Seattle, WA Compares

vs National Average

$61,600

+25.5%

vs Washington Average

$65,667

+17.8%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$51,686

-33.2%

Cost of living in Seattle, WA is 49.6% above the national average.

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