Becoming a sheet metal worker in Rocky Mount, NC typically starts with an apprenticeship, which combines hands-on experience with classroom learning, allowing individuals to earn while they learn. Apprenticeships last about three to five years, requiring approximately 8,000 hours of training under licensed professionals. The average hourly wage for a Sheet Metal Worker Apprentice in Rocky Mount is $18.39, with an average weekly wage of approximately $735.60. With experience, sheet metal workers can earn up to $21.23 per hour, or about $849.20 per week. The job market for sheet metal workers in Rocky Mount is stable, with a slight contraction of 0.2% projected between 2022 and 2032, but the industry anticipates needing approximately 5,200 new workers over the next decade, primarily to replace the estimated 5,400 existing workers expected to retire. Trade schools, unions, and platforms like the Sheet Metal Workers Local 83 offer apprenticeship opportunities, leading to a career with strong earning potential—often exceeding $44,200 annually for experienced professionals.
