Sheet Metal Worker salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Sheet Metal Workers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $80,080 a year ($38.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,540 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $61,800. Pay here is 5% higher than the California statewide median of $76,590. There are 0.96 sheet metal workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for sheet metal workers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| 25th percentile | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Median | $80,080 | $38.50 |
| 75th percentile | $101,350 | $48.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,540 | $60.84 |
| Average (mean) | $82,620 | $39.72 |
Half of sheet metal workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,673.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,336.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,080 |
| Weekly | $1,540 |
| Hourly | $38.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Sheet Metal Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,280 | 750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $102,660 | 880 |
| Salinas, CA | $83,470 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $79,910 | 100 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $76,710 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $74,820 | 580 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $74,690 | 170 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $74,440 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $73,860 | 200 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $72,710 | 2,440 |
| Modesto, CA | $70,870 | 80 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $70,420 | 90 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $69,110 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $68,780 | 750 |
| Vallejo, CA | $65,760 | 120 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $62,520 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for sheet metal workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $98,550 |
| Hawaii | $96,350 |
| Alaska | $94,600 |
| New Jersey | $92,840 |
| Illinois | $86,630 |
| Massachusetts | $82,100 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Wisconsin | $77,760 |
| California | $76,590 |
| Ohio | $74,790 |
See Sheet Metal Worker pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Carpenter | $73,200 | $35.19 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,510 | $34.86 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $55,970 | $26.91 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $83,670 | $40.23 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $66,530 | $31.98 |
| Roofer | $62,180 | $29.90 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Glazier | $65,150 | $31.32 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $61,080 | $29.37 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2211. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sheet metal worker make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for sheet metal workers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $80,080 a year, or $38.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sheet metal workers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of sheet metal workers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $126,540 a year. The top 25% earn $101,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for sheet metal workers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,440 a year, and a quarter of sheet metal workers earn $62,370 or less.
How many sheet metal workers work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 1,480 sheet metal workers are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.