Skilled Wages

Sheet metal worker salary in Michigan

Median $31.01 an hour for 4,000 sheet metal workers, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$31.01/hrMedian hourly wageMichigan, May data
$64,490/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$19.68 – $46.3410th to 90th percentilehourly range
4,000Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-13

Sheet metal worker pay in Michigan: the full range

Wage percentiles, MichiganMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrMichigan: 10th $19.68 · 25th $23.40 · median $31.01 · 75th $41.68 · 90th $46.34Michigan$31.01$19.68$46.34United States: 10th $18.57 · 25th $22.99 · median $29.71 · 75th $39.24 · 90th $50.79United States$29.71
Hourly wage percentiles for sheet metal workers: Michigan vs United States, May 2025.

Michigan ranks 19th of 50 states for median sheet metal worker pay, and 23rd once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $32.23). 4,000 sheet metal workers work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.4× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$19.68 – $23.40$40,940 – $48,680roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$23.40 – $41.68$48,680 – $86,690the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$41.68 – $46.34$86,690 – $96,390the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Sheet metal worker pay by metro in Michigan

Ranked median wages$0$20$40$60/hrFlint: $39.32Flint$39.32South Bend: $39.07South Bend$39.07Muskegon: $38.89Muskegon$38.89Kalamazoo: $38.88Kalamazoo$38.88Ann Arbor: $36.28Ann Arbor$36.28Detroit: $36.12Detroit$36.12Battle Creek: $34.80Battle Creek$34.80Lansing: $34.34Lansing$34.34Traverse City: $31.70Traverse City$31.70Bay City: $27.91Bay City$27.91Niles: $26.89Niles$26.89Grand Rapids: $25.62Grand Rapids$25.62
Median hourly wage for sheet metal workers by metro area in Michigan, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Flint$22.75$39.32$42.28$47.0724027% above
South Bend$21.61$39.07$42.06$50.0212026% above
Muskegon$19.04$38.89$42.04$43.6315025% above
Kalamazoo$23.74$38.88$41.01$49.5116025% above
Ann Arbor$23.27$36.28$35.96$48.899017% above
Detroit$21.92$36.12$36.01$47.341,64016% above
Battle Creek$20.32$34.80$38.45$46.8111012% above
Lansing$21.71$34.34$36.15$46.6712011% above
Traverse City$20.35$31.70$33.94$40.96702% above
Bay City$18.59$27.91$30.37$39.386010% below
Niles$17.26$26.89$29.10$44.184013% below
Grand Rapids$18.38$25.62$26.83$44.4963017% below

Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).

Sheet metal worker wages in Michigan over time

Michigan, 1999-2025MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$20$30$40200020052010201520202025$31.01Michigan$29.71United States
Median hourly wage for sheet metal workers, Michigan vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearMichigan $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$17.95$34.69$14.096,960
2000$21.95$41.04$15.317,240
2001$23.22$42.21$15.976,850
2002$22.74$40.69$16.626,100
2003$23.49$41.10$16.836,150
2004$23.73$40.44$17.095,440
2005$22.65$37.34$17.505,310
2006$23.98$38.29$17.964,210
2007$24.74$38.41$18.854,630
2008$26.26$39.27$19.373,650
2009$27.42$41.15$19.543,400
2010$28.23$41.68$20.052,750
2011$28.15$40.29$20.553,470
2012$24.10$33.79$20.813,550
2013$24.01$33.18$21.104,030
2014$24.11$32.79$21.673,680
2015$24.30$33.01$21.993,510
2016$24.28$32.57$22.573,480
2017$25.00$32.84$23.073,210
2018$23.51$30.14$23.303,230
2019$26.08$32.84$24.232,930
2020$24.77$30.81$24.703,130
2021$23.90$28.40$25.693,470
2022$30.71$33.78$26.614,130
2023$29.75$31.43$28.264,280
2024$29.65$30.43$29.264,590
2025$31.01$31.01$29.714,000

In today's dollars, the median sheet metal worker wage in Michigan changed by -6.1% over the last ten years of data and by -5.6% since 2019.

Are there more sheet metal worker jobs in Michigan?

+36.5%Jobs since 20192,930 then, 4,000 in 2025
+14.0%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
0.9Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.2× the US share, 20th of 50 states

Since 1999, the number of sheet metal workers counted in Michigan has changed by -42.5%, against -48.3% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +36.5%.

Sheet metal workers in Michigan vs United States, 1999 = 100MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages2040608010012020002005201020152020202558Michigan52United States
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Michigan vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearMichigan jobsMichigan indexUS index
19996,960100100
20007,24010494
20016,8509890
20026,1008885
20036,1508882
20045,4407880
20055,3107675
20064,2106077
20074,6306672
20083,6505271
20093,4004963
20102,7504057
20113,4705056
20123,5505158
20134,0305858
20143,6805357
20153,5105058
20163,4805058
20173,2104657
20183,2304657
20192,9304257
20203,1304555
20213,4705053
20224,1305952
20234,2806250
20244,5906651
20254,0005852

Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.

Outlook for sheet metal workers in Michigan

-1.0%Projected growth in Michigan2024–2034, state agency
370Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
4,730Jobs in 20244,680 projected for 2034
+2.5%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Michigan's labor market agency projects the number of sheet metal workers in the state to change by -1.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 4,730 to 4,680, with about 370 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +2.5% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 4,000 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).

Union scale and prevailing wage for sheet metal workers in Michigan

On federally funded construction in Michigan, contractors must pay sheet metal workers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 75 of the 77 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $56.12 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $30.51). 2 of the 77 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Kalamazoo County at $29.25). The market median for the state is $31.01.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, MIAlcona: $56.12 (union)Alger: $57.09 (union)Allegan: $64.27 (union)Alpena: $56.12 (union)Antrim: $56.12 (union)Arenac: $50.61 (union)Baraga: $57.09 (union)Barry: $64.27 (union)Bay: $50.61 (union)Benzie: $56.12 (union)Berrien: $74.88 (union)Branch: $64.27 (union)Calhoun: n/aCass: $74.88 (union)Charlevoix: $56.12 (union)Cheboygan: $56.12 (union)Chippewa: $57.09 (union)Clare: $50.61 (union)Clinton: $64.27 (union)Crawford: $56.12 (union)Delta: $57.09 (union)Dickinson: $57.09 (union)Eaton: n/aEmmet: $56.12 (union)Genesee: $58.76 (union)Gladwin: $50.61 (union)Gogebic: $57.09 (union)Grand Traverse: $56.12 (union)Gratiot: $50.61 (union)Hillsdale: $64.27 (union)Houghton: $57.09 (union)Huron: $50.61 (union)Ingham: n/aIonia: n/aIosco: $56.12 (union)Iron: $51.27 (union)Isabella: $50.61 (union)Jackson: $64.27 (union)Kalamazoo: $29.25 (survey)Kalkaska: $56.12 (union)Kent: $51.27 (union)Keweenaw: $51.27 (union)Lake: $51.27 (union)Lapeer: n/aLeelanau: $56.12 (union)Lenawee: $52.31 (union)Livingston: n/aLuce: $57.09 (union)Mackinac: $57.09 (union)Macomb: $78.28 (union)Manistee: $56.12 (union)Marquette: $57.09 (union)Mason: $51.27 (union)Mecosta: $51.27 (union)Menominee: $57.09 (union)Midland: $50.61 (union)Missaukee: $56.12 (union)Monroe: $52.31 (union)Montcalm: $51.27 (union)Montmorency: $56.12 (union)Muskegon: $51.27 (union)Newaygo: $51.27 (union)Oakland: $78.28 (union)Oceana: $41.37 (union)Ogemaw: $56.12 (union)Ontonagon: $57.09 (union)Osceola: $51.27 (union)Oscoda: $56.12 (union)Otsego: $56.12 (union)Ottawa: $51.27 (union)Presque Isle: $56.12 (union)Roscommon: $56.12 (union)Saginaw: $50.61 (union)St. Clair: $78.28 (union)St. Joseph: $74.88 (union)Sanilac: $78.28 (union)Schoolcraft: $57.09 (union)Shiawassee: $58.76 (union)Tuscola: $50.61 (union)Van Buren: $31.76 (survey)Washtenaw: $78.28 (union)Wayne: $78.28 (union)Wexford: $56.12 (union)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$51.27$56.12$58.76n/asurvey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for sheet metal workers by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.
Market median vs prevailing wage by countyMarket medianPrevailing (union)Prevailing (survey)$20$40$60$80$100/hrBerrien (Niles): market median $26.89, prevailing (union) $74.88, gap +$47.99Berrien (Niles)+$47.99Macomb (Detroit): market median $36.12, prevailing (union) $78.28, gap +$42.16Macomb (Detroit)+$42.16Washtenaw (Ann Arbor): market median $36.28, prevailing (union) $78.28, gap +$42.00Washtenaw (Ann Arbor)+$42.00Barry (Grand Rapids): market median $25.62, prevailing (union) $64.27, gap +$38.65Barry (Grand Rapids)+$38.65Cass (South Bend): market median $39.07, prevailing (union) $74.88, gap +$35.81Cass (South Bend)+$35.81Jackson (Michigan): market median $31.01, prevailing (union) $64.27, gap +$33.26Jackson (Michigan)+$33.26Clinton (Lansing): market median $34.34, prevailing (union) $64.27, gap +$29.93Clinton (Lansing)+$29.93Benzie (Traverse City): market median $31.70, prevailing (union) $56.12, gap +$24.42Benzie (Traverse City)+$24.42Bay (Bay City): market median $27.91, prevailing (union) $50.61, gap +$22.70Bay (Bay City)+$22.70Genesee (Flint): market median $39.32, prevailing (union) $58.76, gap +$19.44Genesee (Flint)+$19.44Muskegon (Muskegon): market median $38.89, prevailing (union) $51.27, gap +$12.38Muskegon (Muskegon)+$12.38Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo): market median $38.88, prevailing (survey) $29.25, gap −$9.63Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo)−$9.63
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for sheet metal workers, metro counties in Michigan.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
MacombUnion SHEE0080-004 2024-06-01$42.51$35.77$78.28MI20260091
OaklandUnion SHEE0080-001 2024-06-01$42.51$35.77$78.28MI20260095
St. ClairUnion SHEE0080-004 2024-06-01$42.51$35.77$78.28MI20260098
SanilacUnion SHEE0080-007 2024-06-01$42.51$35.77$78.28MI20260149
WashtenawUnion SHEE0080-001 2024-06-01$42.51$35.77$78.28MI20260100
WayneUnion SHEE0080-004 2024-06-01$42.51$35.77$78.28MI20260101
BerrienUnion SHEE0020-033 2025-07-01$44.45$30.43$74.88MI20260078
CassUnion SHEE0020-033 2025-07-01$44.45$30.43$74.88MI20260080
St. JosephUnion SHEE0020-032 2025-07-01$44.45$30.43$74.88MI20260152
AlleganUnion SHEE0007-001 2024-05-01$42.74$21.53$64.27MI20260104
BarryUnion SHEE0007-015 2024-05-01$42.74$21.53$64.27MI20260076
BranchUnion SHEE0007-001 2024-05-01$42.74$21.53$64.27MI20260110
ClintonUnion SHEE0007-019 2024-05-01$42.74$21.53$64.27MI20260081
HillsdaleUnion SHEE0007-001 2024-05-01$42.74$21.53$64.27MI20260123
JacksonUnion SHEE0007-013 2024-05-01$42.74$21.53$64.27MI20260086

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Michigan prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in Michigan?

209.1kConstruction jobsMichigan, 2026-09
-1.3%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202650k100k150k200k250k19901995200020052010201520202025209kSep 2026
Construction employment in Michigan (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

Contractor pay by county

Average pay at plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors establishments by county (all employees, not just sheet metal workers), from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages. Across the 73 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 96,108 in 2015 to 124,330 in 2025, +29.4%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Monroe County29498$119,020$2,289
Wayne County3244,129$102,402$1,969
Oakland County3644,355$96,266$1,851
Genesee County942,120$96,110$1,848
St. Joseph County14311$93,942$1,807
Kent County1945,043$91,456$1,759
Saginaw County45603$91,080$1,752
Washtenaw County66929$89,281$1,717
Kalamazoo County571,988$88,285$1,698
Macomb County2542,804$87,558$1,684
Jackson County44480$87,321$1,679
Ingham County51644$84,822$1,631

Keep comparing

Sheet metal worker pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Michigan

More on Michigan

Questions this page answers

How much do sheet metal workers make in Michigan?

The median sheet metal worker in Michigan earned $31.01 an hour ($64,490 a year) in May 2025, 4% above the national median of $29.71. The middle half earn $23.40–$41.68; the top 10% earn more than $46.34.

Where does Michigan rank for sheet metal worker pay?

Michigan ranks 19th of 50 states for sheet metal worker pay, with a median of $31.01 an hour, and 23rd after adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.2, US = 100).

What is the union sheet metal worker rate in Michigan?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for sheet metal workers in 75 counties, with a typical package of $56.12 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many sheet metal workers work in Michigan?

BLS counted 4,000 sheet metal workers in Michigan in May 2025, 0.9 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.18; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is sheet metal worker work growing in Michigan?

The BLS employer survey count of sheet metal workers in Michigan went from 3,510 in 2015 to 4,000 in 2025, +14.0%, and +36.5% since 2019. Michigan's labor market agency projects -1.0% growth for sheet metal workers between 2024 and 2034, from 4,730 to 4,680 jobs.

How many sheet metal worker openings a year are there in Michigan?

Michigan projects about 370 openings a year for sheet metal workers over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 9,800 a year.

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Michigan and metro areas, SOC 47-2211. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
  • SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
  • BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
  • State projection: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.