Sheet metal worker salary in New Jersey
Median $44.64 an hour for 2,790 sheet metal workers, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
Sheet metal worker pay in New Jersey: the full range
New Jersey ranks 4th of 50 states for median sheet metal worker pay, and 5th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $41.03). 2,790 sheet metal workers work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.8× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $22.25 – $28.07 | $46,290 – $58,390 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $28.07 – $57.63 | $58,390 – $119,870 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $57.63 – $62.80 | $119,870 – $130,630 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Sheet metal worker pay by metro in New Jersey
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $22.61 | $48.30 | $48.84 | $59.71 | 150 | 8% above |
| Philadelphia | $21.88 | $37.09 | $36.15 | $60.51 | 1,530 | 17% below |
| New York City | $20.00 | $36.89 | $32.76 | $62.34 | 6,080 | 17% below |
| Allentown | $18.86 | $31.40 | $31.40 | $64.23 | 190 | 30% below |
Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).
Sheet metal worker wages in New Jersey over time
Table
| Year | New Jersey $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $19.33 | $37.35 | $14.09 | 5,520 |
| 2000 | $21.17 | $39.58 | $15.31 | 5,650 |
| 2001 | $22.24 | $40.43 | $15.97 | 4,440 |
| 2002 | $23.76 | $42.52 | $16.62 | 4,350 |
| 2003 | $25.96 | $45.42 | $16.83 | 4,000 |
| 2004 | $29.88 | $50.92 | $17.09 | 3,330 |
| 2005 | $26.12 | $43.06 | $17.50 | 3,760 |
| 2006 | $24.43 | $39.01 | $17.96 | 3,920 |
| 2007 | $24.04 | $37.33 | $18.85 | 4,420 |
| 2008 | $28.63 | $42.81 | $19.37 | 4,420 |
| 2009 | $28.26 | $42.41 | $19.54 | 3,900 |
| 2010 | $28.81 | $42.54 | $20.05 | 3,140 |
| 2011 | $28.14 | $40.28 | $20.55 | 2,140 |
| 2012 | $27.96 | $39.21 | $20.81 | 1,990 |
| 2013 | $26.66 | $36.84 | $21.10 | 2,530 |
| 2014 | $27.02 | $36.75 | $21.67 | 2,950 |
| 2015 | $27.68 | $37.60 | $21.99 | 3,530 |
| 2016 | $27.36 | $36.70 | $22.57 | 2,590 |
| 2017 | $25.88 | $33.99 | $23.07 | 2,160 |
| 2018 | $26.98 | $34.59 | $23.30 | 2,430 |
| 2019 | $29.89 | $37.64 | $24.23 | 2,350 |
| 2020 | $30.55 | $38.00 | $24.70 | 2,630 |
| 2021 | $46.40 | $55.13 | $25.69 | 2,760 |
| 2022 | $23.46 | $25.81 | $26.61 | 3,950 |
| 2023 | $39.33 | $41.56 | $28.26 | 2,380 |
| 2024 | $45.34 | $46.53 | $29.26 | 1,690 |
| 2025 | $44.64 | $44.64 | $29.71 | 2,790 |
In today's dollars, the median sheet metal worker wage in New Jersey changed by +18.7% over the last ten years of data and by +18.6% since 2019.
Are there more sheet metal worker jobs in New Jersey?
BLS counted 2,790 sheet metal workers in New Jersey in May 2025, an estimate with a relative standard error of 27%. With fewer than 3,000 jobs or a wide margin of error, year-to-year changes are within the survey's noise and are not shown as a trend.
Outlook for sheet metal workers in New Jersey
New Jersey's labor market agency projects the number of sheet metal workers in the state to change by +3.8% between 2024 and 2034, from 1,810 to 1,880, with about 150 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +2.5% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed and use a different base year, so they do not match the 2,790 counted by the BLS employer survey.
Source: New Jersey 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 New Jersey
On federally funded construction in New Jersey, contractors must pay sheet metal workers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 20 of the 21 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $106.14 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $54.72). 1 of the 21 counties still use a survey rate dated 2009 or earlier (for example Union County at $54.72). The market median for the state is $44.64.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | Union SHEE0019-018 2025-07-15 | $62.62 | $50.66 | $113.28 | NJ20260028 |
| Gloucester | Union SHEE0019-018 2025-07-15 | $62.62 | $50.66 | $113.28 | NJ20260032 |
| Atlantic | Union SHEE0027-009 2024-06-01 | $59.08 | $47.06 | $106.14 | NJ20260025 |
| Burlington | Union SHEE0027-009 2024-06-01 | $59.08 | $47.06 | $106.14 | NJ20260027 |
| Cape May | Union SHEE0027-009 2024-06-01 | $59.08 | $47.06 | $106.14 | NJ20260029 |
| Cumberland | Union SHEE0027-009 2024-06-01 | $59.08 | $47.06 | $106.14 | NJ20260030 |
| Hunterdon | Union SHEE0027-010 2024-06-01 | $59.08 | $47.06 | $106.14 | NJ20260034 |
| Mercer | Union SHEE0027-009 2024-06-01 | $59.08 | $47.06 | $106.14 | NJ20260035 |
| Middlesex | Union SHEE0027-010 2024-06-01 | $59.08 | $47.06 | $106.14 | NJ20260036 |
| Monmouth | Union SHEE0027-009 2024-06-01 | $59.08 | $47.06 | $106.14 | NJ20260037 |
| Ocean | Union SHEE0027-009 2024-06-01 | $59.08 | $47.06 | $106.14 | NJ20260039 |
| Bergen | Union SHEE0025-005 2024-06-01 | $51.30 | $51.55 | $102.85 | NJ20260026 |
| Essex | Union SHEE0025-005 2024-06-01 | $51.30 | $51.55 | $102.85 | NJ20260031 |
| Hudson | Union SHEE0025-005 2024-06-01 | $51.30 | $51.55 | $102.85 | NJ20260033 |
| Morris | Union SHEE0025-005 2024-06-01 | $51.30 | $51.55 | $102.85 | NJ20260038 |
| Passaic | Union SHEE0025-005 2024-06-01 | $51.30 | $51.55 | $102.85 | NJ20260040 |
| Somerset | Union SHEE0025-005 2024-06-01 | $51.30 | $51.55 | $102.85 | NJ20260042 |
| Sussex | Union SHEE0025-005 2024-06-01 | $51.30 | $51.55 | $102.85 | NJ20260043 |
| Warren | Union SHEE0019-016 2025-06-01 | $45.02 | $44.09 | $89.11 | NJ20260045 |
| Salem | Union SHEE0019-018 2025-07-15 | $35.13 | $24.76 | $59.89 | NJ20260041 |
| Union | Survey SUNJ2004-020 2009-01-02 | $54.72 | $0.00 | $54.72 | NJ20260044 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the New Jersey prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in New Jersey?
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 21 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 89,656 in 2015 to 102,779 in 2025, +14.6%.
| County | Establishments | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson County | 84 | 924 | $110,130 | $2,118 |
| Gloucester County | 131 | 1,460 | $96,534 | $1,856 |
| Middlesex County | 252 | 2,806 | $95,567 | $1,838 |
| Somerset County | 116 | 1,143 | $95,362 | $1,834 |
| Union County | 195 | 1,760 | $95,332 | $1,833 |
| Cumberland County | 45 | 934 | $92,743 | $1,784 |
| Essex County | 185 | 1,545 | $92,442 | $1,778 |
| Morris County | 238 | 2,412 | $92,107 | $1,771 |
| Monmouth County | 324 | 3,960 | $91,453 | $1,759 |
| Passaic County | 219 | 1,327 | $88,845 | $1,709 |
| Bergen County | 396 | 2,944 | $87,600 | $1,685 |
| Camden County | 193 | 2,136 | $87,076 | $1,675 |
| Warren County | 45 | 185 | $82,215 | $1,581 |
| Sussex County | 77 | 456 | $81,799 | $1,573 |
| Mercer County | 82 | 619 | $81,457 | $1,566 |
| Hunterdon County | 60 | 544 | $80,747 | $1,553 |
| Burlington County | 138 | 1,220 | $78,478 | $1,509 |
| Atlantic County | 109 | 952 | $77,864 | $1,497 |
| Ocean County | 319 | 2,084 | $74,172 | $1,426 |
| Salem County | 17 | 329 | $73,935 | $1,422 |
| Cape May County | 79 | 542 | $62,879 | $1,209 |
Keep comparing
Sheet metal worker pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in New Jersey
More on New Jersey
Questions this page answers
How much do sheet metal workers make in New Jersey?
The median sheet metal worker in New Jersey earned $44.64 an hour ($92,840 a year) in May 2025, 50% above the national median of $29.71. The middle half earn $28.07–$57.63; the top 10% earn more than $62.80.
Where does New Jersey rank for sheet metal worker pay?
New Jersey ranks 4th of 50 states for sheet metal worker pay, with a median of $44.64 an hour, and 5th after adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (BEA price parity 108.8, US = 100).
What is the union sheet metal worker rate in New Jersey?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for sheet metal workers in 20 counties, with a typical package of $106.14 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many sheet metal workers work in New Jersey?
BLS counted 2,790 sheet metal workers in New Jersey in May 2025, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.84; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is sheet metal worker work growing in New Jersey?
New Jersey's labor market agency projects +3.8% growth for sheet metal workers between 2024 and 2034, from 1,810 to 1,880 jobs.
How many sheet metal worker openings a year are there in New Jersey?
New Jersey projects about 150 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, New Jersey 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: New Jersey labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.