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Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking

Types of Degrees Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking can earn 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

Studies in Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking build 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

This major prepares you for careers needing 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 built by 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

Innate 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 Word	Word processing software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	—
Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Delcam PowerMILL	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
3D Systems Geomagic Design X	Computer aided design CAD software	—
PTC Creo Parametric	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Email software	Electronic mail software	—
Web browser software	Internet browser software	—
Computer aided design CAD software	Computer aided design CAD 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
• Stencil Maker
• Pattern Mechanic
• Pattern Cutter
• Stencil Cutter
• Extrusion Die Coordinator
• Computer Patternmaker
• Pattern Worker
• Acoustical Tile Patternmaker
• Plastics Patternmaker
• Boilermaker Loftsman
• Chart Writer
• Pattern Developer
• Metal Patternmaker
• Freelance Patternmaker

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?

College Scorecard reports median earnings of Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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?

Looking purely at 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	Annual Degrees Awarded
Precision Metal Working	67,063
Welding Technology/Welder	57,768
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist	3,539
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist	2,174
Machine Shop Technology/Assistant	1,634
Metal Fabricator	552
Tool and Die Technology/Technician	509
Precision Metal Working, Other	340
Ironworking/Ironworker	161

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.