by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking covers Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Form, Shape, Bend And Fold Extruded Metals, Including The Creation Of New Products, Using Hand Tools And Machines Such As Cornice Brakes, Forming Rolls, And Squaring Shears. Examples: [Sheet Metal Worker]. Read on to learn the essential details every sheet metal technology/sheetworking major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering sheet metal technology/sheetworking programs.
Across the country, sheet metal technology/sheetworking draws strong interest, with 386 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking Schools ranking analyzes these 18 schools to determine the best overall colleges for sheet metal technology/sheetworking students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sheet metal technology/sheetworking programs later in this article.
Coursework for Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a sheet metal technology/sheetworking program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a sheet metal technology/sheetworking major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 228 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 96 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 62 |
People currently working in careers related to sheet metal technology/sheetworking tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 49.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 22.3% |
| Some college courses | 19.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 7.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in sheet metal technology/sheetworking careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in sheet metal technology/sheetworking prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to sheet metal technology/sheetworking.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sheet metal technology/sheetworking.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | 769,616 | 4.3% |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 487,910 | 14.6% |
| Sheet Metal Workers | 329,048 | 6.8% |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 314,414 | 9.9% |
| Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | 227,226 | 11.6% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,800 |
| 4 years | $39,416 |
| 5 years | $44,203 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers sheet metal technology/sheetworking grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Sheet Metal Workers | $62,339 |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,503 |
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | $41,576 |
| Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | $38,490 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $31,166 |
With 18 different sheet metal technology/sheetworking programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased sheet metal technology/sheetworking school rankings to help you.
Students interested in sheet metal technology/sheetworking, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Welding Technology/Welder | 57,768 |
| Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | 3,539 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist | 2,174 |
| Machine Shop Technology/Assistant | 1,634 |
| Metal Fabricator | 552 |
| Tool and Die Technology/Technician | 509 |
| Precision Metal Working, Other | 340 |
| Ironworking/Ironworker | 161 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
