How to hire a sheet metal journeyman

How to hire a sheet metal journeyman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step sheet metal journeyman hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a sheet metal journeyman job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new sheet metal journeyman
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The sheet metal journeyman hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a sheet metal journeyman to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a sheet metal journeyman that fits the bill.

   This list presents sheet metal journeyman salaries for various positions.

   Type of Sheet Metal Journeyman	Description	Hourly rate
   Sheet Metal Journeyman	Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets, such as ducts used in heating and air conditioning systems.	$14-28
   Gutter Installer	A gutter installer does the basic installation of gutters, inspects, and repairs them. An installer isn't afraid of enclosed spaces and, if need be, is comfortable making use of a ladder... Show more	$12-21
   Metal Fabricator	A metal fabricator manipulates metal for construction and manufacturing companies. They are required to cut, shape, position and align different metals... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • HVAC
   • OSHA
   • Product Specifications
   • MIG
   • Stainless Steel
   • Control Boxes
   • Aluminum
   • Duct Systems
   • Sheetmetal
   • Building Codes
   • Layout Techniques
   • VAV Boxes
   • Caulking

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Weld aircraft parts and support equipment utilizing MIG, TIG, SMAW and oxy-acetylene.
   • Maintain inventory levels and conduct cyclical counts.
   • Employ and supervise 5 employees, payroll, scheduling and all other operations of a small business.
   • Skil tech in HVAC install department on commercial projects and jobs, train three HVAC installers and perform general labor.
   • Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of system.
   • Work to restore aircraft to optimal performance capacity by ensuring that necessary devices are repaired and install according to FAA guidelines.

   More sheet metal journeyman duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the sheet metal journeyman job description is a good way to get more applicants. A sheet metal journeyman salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a sheet metal journeyman in North Carolina may be lower than in Massachusetts, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level sheet metal journeyman. Additionally, a sheet metal journeyman with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average sheet metal journeyman salary

   $43,478yearly

   $20.90 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level sheet metal journeyman salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average sheet metal journeyman salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$65,485	$31
   2	Minnesota	$59,384	$29
   3	Connecticut	$58,511	$28
   4	New Hampshire	$56,391	$27
   5	Arizona	$45,447	$22
   6	New York	$44,788	$22
   7	New Mexico	$41,216	$20
   8	Texas	$38,346	$18
   9	Florida	$37,888	$18
   10	Georgia	$37,706	$18
   11	North Carolina	$37,093	$18
   12	Oklahoma	$35,358	$17

   Average sheet metal journeyman salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	McCarthy Holdings, Inc.	$55,779	$26.82	24
   2	TDIndustries	$48,670	$23.40
   3	Aerotek	$43,760	$21.04	126
   4	Tradesmen International	$43,596	$20.96	117
   5	Engineered Cooling Services	$40,264	$19.36	1
   6	Provisional Educational Services, Incorporated	$40,179	$19.32

4. Writing a sheet metal journeyman job description

   A sheet metal journeyman job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a sheet metal journeyman job description:

   Sheet metal journeyman job description example

   Apply today – Start ASAP $22-29/hr
   

   Skills Reading Prints & Preform Layouts Direct workers effectively Operate a safe work environment Multi-Task and keep detailed reports

   Qualifications Minimum 8 years of Trade Experience & 3 years of leadership experience Have all tools and PPE Reliable transportation Work Safely and follow OSHA guidelines

   
   Perks

   -Long Term Work - $500 Sign-on Bonus - Paycheck Advances - Weekly Direct Deposit

   -Unlimited $250 Referral Bonuses - $50 first day referral bonus

   - 40 hrs a week + Overtime - Paid Holidays - 401K & Health Benefits

   - Free OSHA training and Lift Certifications - Milestone Rewards Program!

   
   

   CCS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

   Some of our positions are subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify candidates.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find sheet metal journeymen for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any sheet metal journeymen they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level sheet metal journeymen with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your sheet metal journeyman job on Zippia to find and attract quality sheet metal journeyman candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting sheet metal journeymen requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new sheet metal journeyman

   Once you've selected the best sheet metal journeyman candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new sheet metal journeyman. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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