Prevailing Wage for Sheet Metal Workers
Prevailing wage for Sheet Metal Workers (SOC 47-2211) is set by the DOL across four experience levels, from entry-level Field Installers through senior HVAC Sheet Metal Specialists and Commercial Sheet Metal Service Installers. The floor varies significantly by worksite city, so a sponsored position in San Jose or Seattle carries a very different wage obligation than one in a lower-cost market.
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Level 1 covers entry-level workers with limited experience performing routine sheet metal fabrication or installation tasks under close supervision. Employers typically file at this level for recent trade school graduates or apprentices transitioning into their first sponsored position.
Level 2 applies to qualified workers with hands-on experience handling standard duct fabrication, fitting, and installation with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Sheet Metal Workers, reflecting journeyman-level competency in commercial and industrial settings.
Level 3 covers experienced workers who independently manage complex installations, read detailed blueprints, and may coordinate with other trades. Employers file at this level for workers troubleshooting custom HVAC sheet metal systems or leading smaller project phases.
Level 4 reflects fully competent workers with advanced technical expertise, often serving as lead fabricators, project supervisors, or specialized HVAC sheet metal consultants. Employers file here for senior roles requiring independent judgment and comprehensive knowledge of fabrication and installation codes.
Prevailing Wage for Sheet Metal Workers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Verify your SOC code before signing
Sheet metal work sometimes gets filed under HVAC technician or general construction SOC codes, which carry different prevailing wage floors. Confirm your LCA lists SOC 47-2211 and the title aligns with fabrication or installation duties, not a broader mechanical trade category.
Watch how union market rates affect your offer
In high-density union metros like Seattle and the Bay Area, prevailing wages for Sheet Metal Workers are set partly by collective bargaining data, pushing even Level 1 floors well above national medians. Offers in those markets that land near the national median are likely below the local floor.
Account for the worksite rule on multi-site jobs
HVAC Sheet Metal Installers frequently move between job sites across a metro or even across counties. The prevailing wage on your LCA must reflect the highest-wage worksite where you'll regularly perform work, not your employer's headquarters or a lower-wage satellite location.
Find employers sponsoring Sheet Metal Workers on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters by role and visa type, showing which employers have an actual history of sponsoring Sheet Metal Workers and related HVAC installation roles. That historical count helps you prioritize outreach toward companies already comfortable with the DOL filing process for this occupation.
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Find Jobs for Sheet Metal WorkersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 47-2211.00 alongside Sheet Metal Workers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Commercial Sheet Metal Service Installer Prevailing Wage
Commercial Sheet Metal Service Installer Prevailing Wage
Commercial Sheet Metal Service Installer positions fall under SOC 47-2211.00 (Sheet Metal Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Field Installer Prevailing Wage
Field Installer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Field Installer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2211.00 (Sheet Metal Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
HVAC Sheet Metal Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Sheet Metal Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Sheet Metal Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Installer) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2211.00 (Sheet Metal Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
HVAC Sheet Metal Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Specialist) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Sheet Metal Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Specialist) Prevailing Wage
HVAC Sheet Metal Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Specialist) positions fall under SOC 47-2211.00 (Sheet Metal Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Sheet Metal Fabricator Prevailing Wage
Sheet Metal Fabricator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Sheet Metal Fabricator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2211.00 (Sheet Metal Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sheet Metal Installer Prevailing Wage
Sheet Metal Installer Prevailing Wage
Sheet Metal Installer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2211.00 (Sheet Metal Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Sheet Metal Journeyman Prevailing Wage
Sheet Metal Journeyman Prevailing Wage
Sheet Metal Journeyman positions fall under SOC 47-2211.00 (Sheet Metal Workers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Sheet Metal Layout Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Sheet Metal Layout Mechanic Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Sheet Metal Layout Mechanic for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 47-2211.00 (Sheet Metal Workers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sheet Metal Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Sheet Metal Mechanic Prevailing Wage
Sheet Metal Mechanic is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 47-2211.00 (Sheet Metal Workers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Sheet Metal Workers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metro areas. For Sheet Metal Workers specifically, DOL also incorporates collective bargaining agreement rates where applicable, which can push prevailing wages above the straight OES survey median in unionized markets. The resulting four-level wage schedule is published through OFLC and updated annually.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision, Level 2 is qualified journeyman-level work, Level 3 is experienced with independent responsibility, and Level 4 is fully competent with lead or senior scope. Your employer selects the level based on the actual duties and supervision in the job description filed with OFLC. Review the LCA your employer submits to confirm the level matches your experience and the responsibilities described.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Sheet Metal Worker role differ so much between cities?
DOL conducts regional OES surveys that capture local labor market conditions, so wages reflect what employers in each metro actually pay. A worksite in San Jose or Seattle sits in a dense construction market with strong union presence, driving the floor much higher than in lower-cost Southern or island markets. The LCA must list the actual worksite location, so the wage obligation follows where you physically perform the work, not where the employer is headquartered.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify an LCA with OFLC if the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage for that worksite and level. USCIS will not approve an H-1B or other sponsored petition without a certified LCA. If the offer is below the floor, the employer must either raise the salary to meet the prevailing wage or reclassify the position to the correct level before filing. Signing an offer below the floor does not make the sponsorship valid.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Sheet Metal Workers in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 47-2211 for your target metro. Enter the worksite area and select the wage level that matches the job description. Cross-check the result against recent LCA disclosure data published by OFLC, which shows what wages employers have actually certified for this occupation by location. Migrate Mate can also help you identify which employers have sponsored Sheet Metal Workers in a given region, narrowing your search to companies already active in the DOL filing process.
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