How much does a metal worker make?
a year · about $22 an hour
A typical metal worker in the United States makes $45,950 a year, about $22 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
The work depends on the specialty: a galvanizer may clean a part, set up a coating machine, and dip it in a metal coating. They watch gauges and check for bubbles or bare spots before recording the result.
Did you know? Surprise: this is a catch-all job title; official examples include anodizers, galvanizers, and nickel platers, who coat metal parts.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $35,350 and $65,510How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school or earn a GED, then learn shop skills and safety on the job. This catch-all has no single route; trade classes, an apprenticeship, or a welding certificate can help.
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., more experience, special skills, and useful certificates can lead to better pay. Employer or industry, state, and overtime or night shifts also matter; fame usually matters little in this hands-on job.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Maryland ($50,280), lowest in Tennessee ($36,770).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a metal worker averages $31,017. Metal worker salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,350 | $45,950 | $65,510 | about 16,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $50,280 | about 510 |
| Oregon | $49,510 | about 570 |
| New Hampshire | $47,830 | about 790 |
| California | $47,380 | about 2,000 |
| Texas | $45,560 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: All metal workers and plastic workers not listed separately.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4199.00
- www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/demo/guidance/industry-occupation/soc_2018_defi
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4193.00
- www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.aws.org/careers
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY