Carpenters vs Sheet Metal Workers: Similar Median Pay, Different Work

Carpenters vs Sheet Metal Workers: what changes?

Consider Carpenters if you want to construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood…. Consider Sheet Metal Workers if you would rather fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Both list high school diploma or equivalent; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Carpenters and Sheet Metal Workers. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Carpenters

National median pay (2025): $60,580
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements.
Work to investigate: Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 62,800

Know before you choose

The usual entry route includes an apprenticeship. Interest in the subject is not a substitute for supervised, paid training.

See the full Carpenters brief

Sheet Metal Workers

National median pay (2025): $61,800
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements.
Work to investigate: Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 9,800

Know before you choose

The usual entry route includes an apprenticeship. Interest in the subject is not a substitute for supervised, paid training.

See the full Sheet Metal Workers brief

How the national numbers differ

Carpenters has the edge on annual openings

Carpenters is at 62,800 annual openings, compared with 9,800 annual openings for Sheet Metal Workers.

Carpenters has the edge on projected growth

Carpenters is at 3.9% projected growth, compared with 2.5% projected growth for Sheet Metal Workers.

Sheet Metal Workers has the edge on median pay

Sheet Metal Workers is at $61,800, compared with $60,580 for Carpenters.

69.4/ 100

Carpenters

58.1/ 100

Sheet Metal Workers

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence