What does a sheet metal helper do?
A sheet metal helper fabricates and installs thin metal sheets. They use a wide range of systems to craft these sheets and to help workers install them. Typically, they work at construction sites, and they often use hand tools or power tools. They trim, buff, and grind sheet metals. They select suitable gauges of sheet metal for each job.
Sheet metal helper responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real sheet metal helper resumes:
- Cut taps, make fittings, layout and fabricate duct work.
- Adhere to codes, OSHA standards and all safety and handbook policies.
- Assist Formen in the fabrication and installation of metal roofing systems according to detail.
- Measure and cut sheet metal to specifications and install ductwork .install flex duct as add on taps.
- Install sheet metal duct work and relate items according to plans and specifications to include all HVAC systems.
- Prepare and design layouts, dies, jigs, and templates necessary to carry out fabrication repair or modification of aircraft.
- Work to restore aircraft to optimal performance capacity by ensuring that necessary devices are repaired and install according to FAA guidelines.
- Shape metal material over anvil, block, or other form, using hand-tools.
Sheet metal helper skills and personality traits
We calculated that 27% of Sheet Metal Helpers are proficient in Hand Tools, HVAC, and Ladders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Sheet Metal Helpers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 27%
Designed and fabricated sheet metal using sheet metal hand tools and power breaks and hand breaks and sheers.
- HVAC, 26%
Install and troubleshoot HVAC systems.
- Ladders, 18%
Perform installation work using ladders, bending, lifting, standing, climbing, and squatting sometimes in close quarters.
- Install Duct, 12%
Install duct, 90, canvas, and transitions using S and Drives, before installing the units for each room.
- OSHA, 7%
Snap lock, TDF and spiral experience OSHA 10 card Aerial work platform Operator Training (Boom and Scissor lift)
- Product Specifications, 2%
Performed Quality assurance inspections on all products to ensure conformance with product specifications.
Common skills that a sheet metal helper uses to do their job include "hand tools," "hvac," and "ladders." You can find details on the most important sheet metal helper responsibilities below.
Dexterity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling sheet metal helper duties is dexterity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "sheet metal workers need good hand–eye coordination and motor control to make precise cuts and bends in metal pieces." According to a sheet metal helper resume, here's how sheet metal helpers can utilize dexterity in their job responsibilities: "install assemblies in a supported framework using hand tools, power tools, and lifting and handling devices. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for sheet metal helpers to perform their duties. For an example of how sheet metal helper responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "sheet metal workers must calculate the proper sizes and angles of fabricated sheet metal to ensure the alignment and fit of ductwork." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a sheet metal helper: "use of shop mathematics and standard handbook formulas in fabricating parts and estimating material and labor requirements. ".
Mechanical skills. For certain sheet metal helper responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "mechanical skills." The day-to-day duties of a sheet metal helper rely on this skill, as "sheet metal workers use saws, lasers, shears, and presses." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what sheet metal helpers do: "assist with the installation of air conditioning and mechanical equipment for commercial applications such as hospitals and new construction buildings. "
Physical strength. Another common skill required for sheet metal helper responsibilities is "physical strength." This skill comes up in the duties of sheet metal helpers all the time, as "sheet metal workers must be able to lift and move ductwork that is heavy and cumbersome." An excerpt from a real sheet metal helper resume shows how this skill is central to what a sheet metal helper does: "perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. "
The three companies that hire the most sheet metal helpers are:
- Aerotek6 sheet metal helpers jobs
- Atlantic Constructors3 sheet metal helpers jobs
- Moores Electrical And Mechanical3 sheet metal helpers jobs
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Compare different sheet metal helpers
Sheet metal helper vs. Tinner
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, sheet metal helper responsibilities require skills like "hand tools," "ladders," "install duct," and "osha." Meanwhile a typical tinner has skills in areas such as "tin," "safety procedures," "demo," and "reliable transportation." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, tinners reach similar levels of education than sheet metal helpers. Tinners are 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Sheet metal helper vs. Fairing worker
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that sheet metal helper responsibilities requires skills like "hand tools," "hvac," "ladders," and "install duct." But a fairing worker might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "food preparation," "blood pressure," and "laid-off."
In general, fairing workers achieve higher levels of education than sheet metal helpers. They're 7.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sheet metal helper vs. Fabric worker
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a sheet metal helper is likely to be skilled in "hvac," "install duct," "osha," and "product specifications," while a typical fabric worker is skilled in "cnc," "production processes," "cushions," and "protractors."
Fabric workers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $36,499. Comparatively, sheet metal helpers have the highest earning potential in the construction industry, with an average salary of $30,254.When it comes to education, fabric workers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to sheet metal helpers. In fact, they're 4.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Sheet metal helper vs. Air duct mechanic
Types of sheet metal helper
Updated January 8, 2025
