Sheet Metal Worker.
Wichita.
$48,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$37,000 to $62,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Sheet Metal Worker salary in Wichita is $48,000, 16% below the national average. Entry level starts near $37,000. Experienced professionals push past $62,000. Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $43,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$31,000
to $38,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$41,000
to $50,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$53,000
to $62,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$60,000
to $74,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.
Base
$48,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $61,000
How Wichita compares
Wichita, KS
$48,000
Cost of living: 18% below average
National Average
$57,000
Wichita is $9,000 below
Sheet Metal Worker salary by city
Salary by role in Wichita
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Sheet Metal Worker offer in Wichita, understand the terrain. Wichita is the air capital of the world, home to major aerospace manufacturers including Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Airbus. The city's engineering talent pool is deep, and the extremely low cost of living means aerospace salaries deliver exceptional purchasing power. Workers specializing in HVAC ductwork fabrication and architectural sheet metal earn the highest rates. CNC and CAD proficiency for precision fabrication adds 10 to 15% above hand-layout skills alone. Union sheet metal workers in major metropolitan areas benefit from prevailing wage requirements on commercial and government projects that push hourly rates well above open-shop competitors.
Sheet metal apprentices start at $32,000 to $40,000 during their four to five year apprenticeship. Journeymen earn $44,000 to $62,000, while foremen and shop supervisors reach $65,000 to $82,000. Estimators and project managers with sheet metal backgrounds command $80,000 to $110,000 at large mechanical contractors. In Wichita, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 18% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Union SMWIA benefits add $15,000 to $25,000 annually in health, pension, and training fund contributions. Overtime on large commercial projects can add $6,000 to $14,000 per year. Tool and equipment allowances of $500 to $1,500 annually are common at union shops. And on the tax side: kansas has a top income tax rate of 5.7%. Wichita has no city income tax. The moderate state rate combined with very low housing costs creates strong net pay. When someone quotes you $48,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight aerospace engineering expertise. Wichita manufacturers pay competitive national rates for specialized aviation and defense engineering talent. The range for Sheet Metal Workers in Wichita runs from $37,000 to $62,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A HVAC Technician in Wichita earns $47,000 (2% less)
- The highest-paying role in Wichita is Chief AI Officer at $264,000
Common questions.
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