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Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking

Types of Degrees Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking Majors Are Earning

Those studying Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking have the option of earning degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	228
Associate’s Degree	96
Master’s Degree	62

What Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking Majors Need to Know

Programs in Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking emphasize a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Mechanical — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
• Production and Processing — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.
• Design — Importance 2.9 / 5; level 2.9 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 2.9 / 5; level 2.7 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set developed in a Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.
• Operation and Control — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.
• Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Monitoring — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.

Abilities

Abilities most relevant to Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Control Precision — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Controlling Machines and Processes	4.1 / 7
Getting Information	4.1 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	4.0 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	3.8 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.8 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.7 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.7 / 7
Handling and Moving Objects	3.6 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.4 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	3.4 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	—
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	—
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
Delcam PowerMILL	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
3D Systems Geomagic Design X	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
PTC Creo Parametric	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Web browser software	Internet browser software	—
Email software	Electronic mail software	—
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking graduates include:

• Template Maker
• Pattern Scratcher
• Pattern Fitter
• Metal Bench Patternmaker
• Loftsman
• Die Technician
• Pattern Checker
• Mold Tooler
• Extrusion Die Template Maker
• All-Around Patternmaker
• Plaster Patternmaker
• Wax Molder
• Patternmaker
• Foundry Patternmaker
• Die Cast Die Maker

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
High school diploma or equivalent	49.9%
Postsecondary certificate	22.3%
Some college courses	19.0%
Less than a high school diploma	7.3%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	1.4%
Post-master’s certificate	0.1%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 93.8% of Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	24	6.2%
Men	362	93.8%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	244	63.2%
Asian	14	3.6%
Hispanic or Latino	49	12.7%
Black or African American	13	3.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	1	0.3%
Two or More Races	13	3.4%
Race Unknown	52	13.5%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking Graduates Earn?

The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$33,800
4 years	$39,416
5 years	$44,203

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $44,203 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking Worth It?

On the earnings side, the federal earnings tracker, Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking graduates earn a median of $39,416 four years after completion — roughly 4% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	CIP Code
Precision Metal Working	48.05
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist	48.0510
Ironworking/Ironworker	48.0509
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant	48.0503
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist	48.0501
Metal Fabricator	48.0511
Precision Metal Working, Other	48.0599
Tool and Die Technology/Technician	48.0507
Welding Technology/Welder	48.0508

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.