Sheet Metal Workers Salary
The median pay for a sheet metal workers in Alaska is $94,600/year ($45.48/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $117K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $90,691 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,643/month, or 25.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alaska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $95K get you in Alaska?
About sheet metal workers
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What this looks like in Alaska
Alaska sits well above the national pay line for sheet metal workers, local pay runs about 53% higher than the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,643/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level sheet metal workers (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $117K or more, a $67K spread from bottom to top.
Sheet Metal Workers salary by metro in Alaska
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $98K | +4% | 160 |
| Fairbanks-College | $76K | -20% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track sheet metal workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a sheet metal worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
Yes — at the median salary of $95K, rent takes 26.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for sheet metal workers in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new sheet metal workers typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,958/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 56% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is sheet metal worker a high-paying job in Alaska?
Local pay is 53% above the national median — $95K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for sheet metal workers?
Alaska pays $95K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +53%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $91K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do sheet metal workers make in Alaska?
The median is $94,600 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,300, and experienced sheet metal workers can clear $116,580. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,245/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 26.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a sheet metal workers salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median sheet metal workers salary is worth about $90,691 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do sheet metal workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.