Fabricate and install the ductwork and metalwork that shape modern buildings.
Sheet metal workers fabricate and install the ductwork, panels, and metal systems that shape modern buildings, especially the HVAC systems that move air. Work splits between the fabrication shop and field installation.
It rewards precision and spatial thinking, turning flat metal and shop drawings into systems that fit exactly. It is a strong, often-overlooked trade with solid training and pay.
Sheet metal is learned through a registered apprenticeship, typically four to five years of paid training with classroom instruction. Apprentices learn layout, fabrication, welding, and installation and finish as journeymen with a nationally recognized credential. Georgia offers several ways in, including union and non-union apprenticeships and related programs through the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
Georgia range, from entry-level (roughly the lowest 10%) to top earners (the top 10%). Pay climbs with experience, certifications, and overtime, and many move into lead, foreman, or contractor roles.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025), via O*NET / My Next Move
From a full apprenticeship to a few weeks online, here's every way into sheet metal in Georgia — ordered from the deepest path to the quickest.