Pay varies by area of the country and the workers skill level. Those who belong to unions tend to receive higher wages. They also may receive benefits. Common benefits for full-time workers include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. In some areas, union workers receive wages from the union when they are laid off or working shorter weeks.
Apprentices generally earn about half the wage of experienced workers.
As apprentices gain skills, their wages increase. There were 6,010 people employed as sheet metal workers in Indiana in 1998. An additional 700 people were employed as sheet metal duct installers. It is estimated that between 1996 and 2006, about 196 jobs per year for sheet metal workers and 42 jobs per year for sheet metal duct installers will need to be filled. These numbers include new jobs and jobs resulting from the replacement of current workers.