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Salary comparison

Sheet Metal Workers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Sheet Metal Workers by $18K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Sheet Metal Workers land at $61,800 and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $79,920. The education gap is real: sheet metal worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Sheet Metal Workers is Washington ($98,550); for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers it's Washington ($109,570).

Sheet Metal Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Median salary
$61,800
$79,920
Hourly rate
$29.71/hr
$38.42/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$38,630
$53,280
Senior level (90th %)
$105,650
$128,260
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
119,770
812,210
Job growth (10-year)
2.4%
5.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
Washington
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Sheet Metal Workers median pay.

State
Sheet Metal Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Washington
$98,550
$109,570
Hawaii
$96,350
$102,630
Alaska
$94,600
$102,140
New Jersey
$92,840
$105,510
Illinois
$86,630
$105,750
Massachusetts
$82,100
$97,850
Connecticut
$78,750
$92,260
Wisconsin
$77,760
$85,350
California
$76,590
$97,680
New York
$73,760
$95,700
Oregon
$73,750
$103,070
Minnesota
$72,970
$97,610
Rhode Island
$65,100
$98,590
Indiana
$64,040
$82,530
Missouri
$63,560
$87,520

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Sheet Metal Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn more nationally. The median is $61,800 for Sheet Metal Workers versus $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, a difference of $18K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Sheet Metal Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.3% projected growth, compared to 2.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Sheet Metal Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

Sheet Metal Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Sheet Metal Workers get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Sheet Metal Workers at $98,550/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Sheet Metal Workers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Sheet Metal Workers earn $98,550 vs. $109,570 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Sheet Metal Workers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Sheet Metal Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a sheet metal workersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →