Across U.S. metros, sheet metal workers typically earn $1,870 more a year than hvac technicians (3%). In the 272 metros where BLS publishes both, hvac technicians earn more in 126 and sheet metal workers in 146.
| HVAC Technician | Sheet Metal Worker | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $59,590 | $61,460 |
| Lowest metro median | $29,140 | $28,340 |
| Highest metro median | $93,820 | $109,830 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +10.9% | +2.5% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 40,600 | 9,800 |
| Self-employed | 6% | 8% |
| Typical education | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Long-term on-the-job training | Apprenticeship |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 214 | 163 |
| Metros with pay data | 389 | 273 |
On safety, hvac technicians report more injuries that cause missed work (214 vs. 163 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where hvac technicians out-earn sheet metal workers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where sheet metal workers out-earn hvac technicians the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
What each trade does
HVAC Technician
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Sheet Metal Worker
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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