Sheet Metal Workers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a sheet metal workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $115,970/year ($55.76/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $163K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $105,026 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 48.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $116K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About sheet metal workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level sheet metal workers (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $116K.Top earners bring in $163K or more - a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Sheet Metal Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $94K | +55% | 1,690 |
| Illinois | $94K | +54% | 4,240 |
| Washington | $93K | +53% | 3,870 |
| Hawaii | $92K | +50% | 430 |
| Alaska | $83K | +36% | 210 |
| California | $80K | +31% | 9,180 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | +30% | N/A |
| North Dakota | $79K | +30% | 380 |
| District of Columbia | $76K | +26% | 150 |
| Wisconsin | $76K | +25% | 2,990 |
| New York | $73K | +21% | 6,190 |
| West Virginia | $72K | +18% | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $69K | +14% | 2,340 |
| Missouri | $66K | +9% | 3,740 |
| Idaho | $66K | +8% | 560 |
Track sheet metal workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do sheet metal workers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $115,970 a year - that works out to about $55.76 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $53,590, and experienced sheet metal workers can clear $162,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $116K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,921/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 50.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a sheet metal workers salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $105,026 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.