Sheet Metal Worker.
Los Angeles.
$67,000
median salary, 18% above the national average
$52,000 to $87,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
Los Angeles is 18% more expensive than the national average. For Sheet Metal Workers, that shakes out to a median of $67,000, with the full range spanning $52,000 to $87,000. Workers specializing in HVAC ductwork fabrication and architectural sheet metal earn the highest rates. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
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How Los Angeles compares
Los Angeles, CA
$67,000
Cost of living: 18% above average
National Average
$57,000
Los Angeles is $10,000 above
What you should know
Here is what the Sheet Metal Worker market actually looks like in Los Angeles. Los Angeles blends a thriving entertainment industry with a growing tech and startup ecosystem, often called Silicon Beach. The city's diverse economy spans aerospace, healthcare, fashion, and gaming. LA offers strong salaries that, while below San Francisco levels, pair with a broader lifestyle appeal and lower housing costs relative to the Bay Area. 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 Los Angeles, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 18% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
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: california's 13.3% top state income tax rate applies to LA earners as well. There is no city income tax, but the high state rate makes take home pay lower than cities in no income tax states. When someone quotes you $67,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers. The range for Sheet Metal Workers in Los Angeles runs from $52,000 to $87,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Los Angeles
Negotiating in Los Angeles
Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers.