Pile Drivers vs Sheet Metal Workers
Median pay is about $3k higher for Sheet Metal Workers. Both usually start with the same education: apprenticeship.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Pile Drivers | Sheet Metal Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $58,970 | $61,800, higher |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $47,990, higher | $47,830 |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $77,320 | $81,610, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | -5.3% Declining | +2.5% Growing, higher |
| Openings a year | 1,000 | 9,800 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
| Difficulty modeled | 2 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Low | Low |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 10th pct | 8th pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: critical thinking, monitoring, reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, mathematics.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.