Sheet metal workers: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time sheet metal workers in the UK earned a median £32,207 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 18% less than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
That puts it 239th of 382, in the middle third of occupations.
A full-time median is published for men only; the sample of women is too small.
ASHE counts roughly 8,000 employee jobs, 100% full-time.
Since 2021 the median has risen 34.6% (from £23,932), faster than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 10,400 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th percentile | £26,611 | £542.60 | £13.85 | £26,667 | £543.60 | £13.85 |
| 25th percentile | £27,062 | £564.30 | £14.25 | £27,268 | £564.70 | £14.30 |
| 30th percentile | £28,786 | £575.20 | £14.38 | £28,654 | £575.50 | £14.41 |
| 40th percentile | £30,953 | £594.90 | £15.17 | £30,278 | £596.90 | £15.20 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £32,207 | £632.60 | £15.74 | £31,920 | £630.80 | £15.75 |
| 60th percentile | £34,113 | £653.70 | £16.09 | £33,585 | £650.30 | £16.17 |
| 70th percentile | £35,423* | £729.60* | £17.27* | £35,301* | £724.80* | £17.49* |
| 75th percentile | – | – | £17.91* | – | – | £18.18* |
| Mean | £33,959 | £679.20 | £16.74 | £33,749 | £677.50 | £16.85 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £23,932* | £496.80 | £11.95 | £22,952* | £494.60 | 7* |
| 2022 revised | £27,423* | £569.10 | £13.14 | £27,460* | £551.40 | 10* |
| 2023 revised | £26,523 | £569.90 | £13.86 | £25,866 | £560.10 | 10* |
| 2024 revised | £31,675 | £600.00 | £15.11 | £31,449 | £597.70 | 10* |
| 2025 provisional | £32,207 | £632.60 | £15.74 | £31,920 | £630.80 | 8* |
Sheet metal workers by region
UK: 10,400 (± 3,900), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What sheet metal workers do
Sheet metal workers mark out, cut, shape and join sheet metal using hand or machine tools to make and repair sheet metal products and components (excluding vehicle bodywork). (ONS SOC 2020, 5211)
Also covers: coppersmith, metal fabricator, panel beater (metal trades), sheet metal fabricator, sheet metal worker, canister maker, copper smith, iron planisher, kettle maker, last plater, metal finisher, metal smith, pail maker, panel beater, shim maker, stencil cutter, tank mender and tin man (59 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Examines drawings and specifications to assess job requirements
- Uses template, measuring instruments and tools to mark out layout lines and reference points
- Uses hand or machine tools to bend, roll, fold, press or beat cut sheet metal
- Assembles prepared parts and joins them by bolting, welding or soldering
- Finishes product by grinding, filing, cleaning and polishing
- Repairs damaged metal parts such as copper sheets and tubes by beating, riveting, soldering, welding and fitting replacement parts
Entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is usually via apprenticeship including practical experience and technical training and relevant NVQs at level 2 and 3 are available.
Related
Metal forming, welding and related trades (median £35,122) · Metal plate workers, smiths, moulders and related occupations · Welding trades · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026