Skilled Wages

Sheet metal worker salary in Virginia

Median $25.10 an hour for 4,520 sheet metal workers, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$25.10/hrMedian hourly wageVirginia, May data
$52,220/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$18.00 – $35.4010th to 90th percentilehourly range
4,520Jobs countedemployer survey

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

Sheet metal worker pay in Virginia: the full range

Wage percentiles, VirginiaMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrVirginia: 10th $18.00 · 25th $21.45 · median $25.10 · 75th $30.48 · 90th $35.40Virginia$25.10$18.00$35.40United 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: Virginia vs United States, May 2025.

Virginia ranks 39th of 50 states for median sheet metal worker pay, and 46th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $24.83). 4,520 sheet metal workers work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.0× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$18.00 – $21.45$37,440 – $44,620roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$21.45 – $30.48$44,620 – $63,390the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$30.48 – $35.40$63,390 – $73,640the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Sheet metal worker pay by metro in Virginia

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30$40/hrVirginia Beach: $30.48Virginia Beach$30.48Washington DC: $29.46Washington DC$29.46Richmond: $23.08Richmond$23.08Lynchburg: $22.64Lynchburg$22.64Charlottesville: $22.57Charlottesville$22.57Roanoke: $22.11Roanoke$22.11Winchester: $21.59Winchester$21.59Blacksburg: $18.16Blacksburg$18.16
Median hourly wage for sheet metal workers by metro area in Virginia, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Virginia Beach$18.31$30.48$31.13$35.432,08021% above
Washington DC$21.05$29.46$27.05$41.241,84017% above
Richmond$17.55$23.08$23.58$36.326108% below
Lynchburg$17.33$22.64$25.32$30.8814010% below
Charlottesville$19.89$22.57$22.77$36.54—10% below
Roanoke$17.61$22.11$23.62$31.5313012% below
Winchester$17.83$21.59$22.37$29.068014% below
Blacksburg$17.55$18.16$19.59$26.454028% below

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

Sheet metal worker wages in Virginia over time

Virginia, 1999-2025VirginiaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$15$20$25$30$35200020052010201520202025$29.71United States$25.10Virginia
Median hourly wage for sheet metal workers, Virginia vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearVirginia $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$13.53$26.15$14.096,710
2000$13.64$25.50$15.317,380
2001$14.67$26.67$15.976,920
2002$15.19$27.18$16.626,720
2003$14.55$25.46$16.836,730
2004$14.61$24.90$17.096,790
2005$15.86$26.14$17.506,570
2006$16.39$26.17$17.967,380
2007$17.33$26.91$18.855,360
2008$17.50$26.17$19.375,150
2009$17.74$26.62$19.544,970
2010$18.43$27.21$20.054,890
2011$18.64$26.68$20.554,920
2012$19.10$26.78$20.815,110
2013$19.79$27.35$21.104,450
2014$19.86$27.01$21.674,230
2015$20.79$28.24$21.993,670
2016$21.96$29.46$22.573,900
2017$22.45$29.49$23.073,710
2018$22.84$29.28$23.303,910
2019$23.02$28.99$24.234,370
2020$24.99$31.09$24.704,470
2021$27.08$32.17$25.693,900
2022$24.63$27.09$26.613,440
2023$27.03$28.56$28.262,930
2024$28.12$28.86$29.263,870
2025$25.10$25.10$29.714,520

In today's dollars, the median sheet metal worker wage in Virginia changed by -11.1% over the last ten years of data and by -13.4% since 2019.

Are there more sheet metal worker jobs in Virginia?

+3.4%Jobs since 20194,370 then, 4,520 in 2025
+23.2%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
1.1Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.4× the US share, 10th of 50 states

Since 1999, the number of sheet metal workers counted in Virginia has changed by -32.6%, against -48.3% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +3.4%.

Sheet metal workers in Virginia vs United States, 1999 = 100VirginiaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages2040608010012020002005201020152020202567Virginia52United States
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Virginia vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearVirginia jobsVirginia indexUS index
19996,710100100
20007,38011094
20016,92010390
20026,72010085
20036,73010082
20046,79010180
20056,5709875
20067,38011077
20075,3608072
20085,1507771
20094,9707463
20104,8907357
20114,9207356
20125,1107658
20134,4506658
20144,2306357
20153,6705558
20163,9005858
20173,7105557
20183,9105857
20194,3706557
20204,4706755
20213,9005853
20223,4405152
20232,9304450
20243,8705851
20254,5206752

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 Virginia

+4.6%Projected growth in Virginia2024–2034, state agency
300Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
3,090Jobs in 20243,230 projected for 2034
+2.5%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Virginia's labor market agency projects the number of sheet metal workers in the state to change by +4.6% between 2024 and 2034, from 3,090 to 3,230, with about 300 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 4,520 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: Virginia 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 Virginia

On federally funded construction in Virginia, contractors must pay sheet metal workers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 15 of the 131 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $76.62 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $21.77). 116 of the 131 counties still use a survey rate dated 2016 or earlier (for example Accomack County at $24.17). The market median for the state is $25.10.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, VAAccomack: $24.17 (survey)Albemarle: $24.40 (survey)Alleghany: $30.27 (survey)Amelia: $21.55 (survey)Amherst: $21.68 (survey)Appomattox: $21.68 (survey)Arlington: $76.62 (union)Augusta: $21.68 (survey)Bath: $30.27 (survey)Bedford: $21.68 (survey)Bland: $24.17 (survey)Botetourt: $21.68 (survey)Brunswick: $19.18 (survey)Buchanan: $24.17 (survey)Buckingham: $21.77 (survey)Campbell: $21.68 (survey)Caroline: $21.55 (survey)Carroll: $24.17 (survey)Charles City: $21.55 (survey)Charlotte: $19.18 (survey)Chesterfield: $21.55 (survey)Clarke: $76.62 (union)Craig: $21.68 (survey)Culpeper: $76.62 (union)Cumberland: $19.18 (survey)Dickenson: $24.17 (survey)Dinwiddie: $21.55 (survey)Essex: $24.17 (survey)Fairfax: $76.62 (union)Fauquier: $31.47 (survey)Floyd: $21.68 (survey)Fluvanna: $21.77 (survey)Franklin: $21.68 (survey)Frederick: $32.37 (survey)Giles: $21.68 (survey)Gloucester: $22.04 (survey)Goochland: $21.55 (survey)Grayson: $24.17 (survey)Greene: $21.77 (survey)Greensville: $19.18 (survey)Halifax: $19.18 (survey)Hanover: $21.55 (survey)Henrico: $21.55 (survey)Henry: $24.17 (survey)Highland: $30.27 (survey)Isle of Wight: $22.04 (survey)James City: $22.04 (survey)King and Queen: $24.17 (survey)King George: $24.17 (survey)King William: $21.55 (survey)Lancaster: $24.17 (survey)Lee: $24.17 (survey)Loudoun: $76.62 (union)Louisa: $30.27 (survey)Lunenburg: $19.18 (survey)Madison: $30.27 (survey)Mathews: $22.04 (survey)Mecklenburg: $19.18 (survey)Middlesex: $24.17 (survey)Montgomery: $21.68 (survey)Nelson: $21.77 (survey)New Kent: $21.55 (survey)Northampton: $24.17 (survey)Northumberland: $24.17 (survey)Nottoway: $19.18 (survey)Orange: $30.27 (survey)Page: $30.27 (survey)Patrick: $24.17 (survey)Pittsylvania: $19.18 (survey)Powhatan: $21.55 (survey)Prince Edward: $19.18 (survey)Prince George: $21.55 (survey)Prince William: $76.62 (union)Pulaski: $21.68 (survey)Rappahannock: $76.62 (union)Richmond: $24.17 (survey)Roanoke: $21.68 (survey)Rockbridge: $30.27 (survey)Rockingham: $21.68 (survey)Russell: $24.17 (survey)Scott: $21.68 (survey)Shenandoah: $30.27 (survey)Smyth: $24.17 (survey)Southampton: $19.18 (survey)Spotsylvania: $76.62 (union)Stafford: $76.62 (union)Surry: $19.18 (survey)Sussex: $21.55 (survey)Tazewell: $24.17 (survey)Warren: $18.40 (survey)Washington: $21.68 (survey)Westmoreland: $24.17 (survey)Wise: $24.17 (survey)Wythe: $24.17 (survey)York: $22.04 (survey)Alexandria: $76.62 (union)Bristol: $21.68 (survey)Buena Vista: $30.27 (survey)Charlottesville: $24.40 (survey)Chesapeake: $28.48 (survey)Colonial Heights: $21.55 (survey)Covington: n/aDanville: $19.18 (survey)Emporia: $19.18 (survey)Fairfax: $76.62 (union)Falls Church: $76.62 (union)Franklin: $19.18 (survey)Fredericksburg: $76.62 (union)Galax: $24.17 (survey)Hampton: $22.04 (survey)Harrisonburg: $21.68 (survey)Hopewell: $21.55 (survey)Lexington: n/aLynchburg: $21.68 (survey)Manassas: $76.62 (union)Manassas Park: $76.62 (union)Martinsville: $24.17 (survey)Newport News: $22.47 (survey)Norfolk: $23.60 (survey)Norton: $24.17 (survey)Petersburg: $21.55 (survey)Poquoson: $22.04 (survey)Portsmouth: $22.04 (survey)Radford: $21.68 (survey)Richmond: $21.55 (survey)Roanoke: $21.68 (survey)Salem: $21.68 (survey)Staunton: $21.68 (survey)Suffolk: $22.04 (survey)Virginia Beach: $22.04 (survey)Waynesboro: $21.68 (survey)Williamsburg: $22.04 (survey)Winchester: $32.37 (survey)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$21.55$21.68$24.17$30.27n/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)$0$20$40$60$80$100/hrArlington (Washington DC): market median $29.46, prevailing (union) $76.62, gap +$47.16Arlington (Washington DC)+$47.16Frederick (Winchester): market median $21.59, prevailing (survey) $32.37, gap +$10.78Frederick (Winchester)+$10.78Floyd (Blacksburg): market median $18.16, prevailing (survey) $21.68, gap +$3.52Floyd (Blacksburg)+$3.52Albemarle (Charlottesville): market median $22.57, prevailing (survey) $24.40, gap +$1.83Albemarle (Charlottesville)+$1.83King and Queen (Richmond): market median $23.08, prevailing (survey) $24.17, gap +$1.09King and Queen (Richmond)+$1.09Botetourt (Roanoke): market median $22.11, prevailing (survey) $21.68, gap −$0.43Botetourt (Roanoke)−$0.43Amherst (Lynchburg): market median $22.64, prevailing (survey) $21.68, gap −$0.96Amherst (Lynchburg)−$0.96Chesapeake (Virginia Beach): market median $30.48, prevailing (survey) $28.48, gap −$2.00Chesapeake (Virginia Beach)−$2.00Augusta (Virginia): market median $25.10, prevailing (survey) $21.68, gap −$3.42Augusta (Virginia)−$3.42
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for sheet metal workers, metro counties in Virginia.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
ArlingtonUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260013
ClarkeUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260018
CulpeperUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260174
FairfaxUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260178
LoudounUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260158
Prince WilliamUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260162
RappahannockUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260174
SpotsylvaniaUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260165
StaffordUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260174
AlexandriaUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260013
FairfaxUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260178
Falls ChurchUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260178
FredericksburgUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260165
ManassasUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260162
Manassas ParkUnion SHEE0100-004 2025-11-01$53.42$23.20$76.62VA20260162

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

Is construction work growing in Virginia?

230.8kConstruction jobsVirginia, 2026-09
-1.1%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-2026100k150k200k250k300k19901995200020052010201520202025231kSep 2026
Construction employment in Virginia (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 117 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 111,128 in 2015 to 136,979 in 2025, +23.3%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Arlington County18105$159,113$3,060
Manassas city24388$118,692$2,283
Loudoun County1023,600$107,623$2,070
Alexandria city22340$100,711$1,937
Falls Church city6118$86,056$1,655
Fairfax County2493,273$84,525$1,625
Augusta County31735$83,701$1,610
Fredericksburg city9229$83,470$1,605
Prince William County1762,607$83,251$1,601
Hanover County921,313$80,197$1,542
Norfolk city58648$79,984$1,538
Fairfax city758$79,643$1,532

Keep comparing

Sheet metal worker pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Virginia

More on Virginia

Questions this page answers

How much do sheet metal workers make in Virginia?

The median sheet metal worker in Virginia earned $25.10 an hour ($52,220 a year) in May 2025, 16% below the national median of $29.71. The middle half earn $21.45–$30.48; the top 10% earn more than $35.40.

Where does Virginia rank for sheet metal worker pay?

Virginia ranks 39th of 50 states for sheet metal worker pay, with a median of $25.10 an hour, and 46th after adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (BEA price parity 101.1, US = 100).

What is the union sheet metal worker rate in Virginia?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for sheet metal workers in 15 counties, with a typical package of $76.62 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many sheet metal workers work in Virginia?

BLS counted 4,520 sheet metal workers in Virginia in May 2025, 1.1 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.43; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is sheet metal worker work growing in Virginia?

The BLS employer survey count of sheet metal workers in Virginia went from 3,670 in 2015 to 4,520 in 2025, +23.2%, and +3.4% since 2019. Virginia's labor market agency projects +4.6% growth for sheet metal workers between 2024 and 2034, from 3,090 to 3,230 jobs.

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

Virginia projects about 300 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, Virginia 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: Virginia labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.