What apprenticeships are available for sheet metal workers in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Sheet Metal Worker in Kentucky (2026)

Q: How much do sheet metal workers earn in Kentucky?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), sheet metal workers in Kentucky earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,680. Employment concentration in Kentucky is about 1.44 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for sheet metal workers in Kentucky?

Kentucky currently employs approximately 2,210 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky sheet metal workers earn a median annual wage of $60,680 ($29.17/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,210 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -1.8% below the national median of $61,800 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $60,680 ($29.17/hr)
25th percentile: $48,350 per year
75th percentile: $82,550 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $85,310 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $40,570 per year
Workers employed in Kentucky: 2,210
Versus national median: -1.8% below the U.S. median of $61,800
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.44 - this occupation is more concentrated in Kentucky than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Kentucky employs about 2,210 sheet metal workers earning a median $60,680 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most sheet metal workers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Kentucky.

Kentucky employs approximately 2,210 sheet metal workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,680 ¹. The state’s concentration of sheet metal worker jobs is 1.44x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, sheet metal worker employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Sheet Metal Worker in Kentucky, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Kentucky): $60,680 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Sheet Metal Worker in Kentucky

How to become a Sheet Metal Worker in Kentucky? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for sheet metal workers in Kentucky.

How long does it take? Most paths into the sheet metal worker field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do sheet metal workers earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for sheet metal workers in Kentucky is $60,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,570 and experienced professionals can earn $85,310 or more ¹.

How to Become a Sheet Metal Worker in Kentucky

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Kentucky training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Kentucky that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to sheet metal workers in Kentucky before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Sheet Metal Worker Apprenticeship Information in Kentucky

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Kentucky’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training ³.

Contact Information:

Office: Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services
Address: 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-5920
Email: [email protected]

Sheet Metal Worker Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

Sheet Metal Workers Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), sheet metal workers wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Louisville/Jefferson County	970	$61,010	$65,530	$46,030	$92,490
Cincinnati	910	$73,690	$68,020	$41,360	$96,550
Huntington-Ashland	130	$73,960	$61,590	$37,250	$74,690
Bowling Green	70	$48,610	$53,200	$29,560	$86,100
Paducah	70	$79,020	$67,800	$38,620	$85,630
Clarksville	50	$44,830	$51,290	$35,640	$77,880

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for sheet metal workers in Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 2,210 sheet metal workers ¹. Nationally, sheet metal worker employment is projected to grow 2.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Kentucky. You can also contact the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do sheet metal workers earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sheet metal workers in Kentucky is $60,680, which is $170 below the national median of $60,850 according to BLS data ¹.

In Kentucky

Best Trade Schools in Kentucky (2026)

Explore More Trades in Kentucky

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)