How To Become A Metal Trades Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a metal trades instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Rodney Foster

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a metal trades instructor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $25.6 an hour? That's $53,258 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 2% and produce 5,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a metal trades instructor?

Rodney Foster

Instructor - Aviation Maintenance Technology Instructor - Airframe & Powerplant Technology, Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College (OCC) teaches Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Avionics. Although the Government has dampened air travel by putting up restrictions to prevent a Covid-19 spread, there is still a certified mechanic/skilled labor shortage. I believe all our students will have permanent jobs within a six-month search. OCC AMT is listed as an essential workforce by the state of California and is back in classes full-time, Face-to-face labs, and online lectures. Our next semester registration maximum filled in two days and still has over 35 additional students per class on the waiting list.

ScoreMetal Trades InstructorUS Average

Salary

4.2

Avg. Salary $53,258

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.45%

Asian 3.59%

Black or African American 7.57%

Hispanic or Latino 11.74%

Unknown 3.97%

White 72.67%

Gender

female 15.45%

male 84.55%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a metal trades instructor

Explore metal trades instructor education requirements

Most common metal trades instructor degrees

High School Diploma

30.0 %

Bachelor's

30.0 %

Associate

18.3 %

Start to develop specific metal trades instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Syllabus	59.48%
Learning Projects	25.65%
Semi Trailers	14.87%

Research metal trades instructor duties and responsibilities

Serve as back-up instructor to DIA civilian cadre for several writing classes.
Blueprint class focuse on reading blueprint specific to the manufacturing trades and the building trades.
Design engaging lesson plans and instruct students in concepts of project management, blueprint skills, and sheet metal fabrication.
Develop PowerPoint presentations for automotive courses.

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