Will “Sheet Metal Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

100 % Chance of Automation

“Sheet Metal Operator” will definitely be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #453 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-2211.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 51,080.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 24.00
Currently, there are 134,450 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Sheet Metal Workers”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Sheet Metal Operator”

Develop or lay out patterns, using computerized metalworking equipment.
Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.
Install green architectural sheet metal components, such as cool roofs or hot or cold walls.
Select gauges or types of sheet metal or nonmetallic material, according to product specifications.
Verify that heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are designed, installed, and calibrated in accordance with green certification standards, such as those of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Lay out, measure, and mark dimensions and reference lines on material such as roofing panels, using calculators, scribes, dividers, squares, or rulers.
Perform sheet metal work necessary for solar panel installations.
Inspect individual parts, assemblies, or installations, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, scales, or micrometers.
Fabricate or alter parts at construction sites, using shears, hammers, punches, or drills.
Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices.
Convert blueprints into shop drawings to be followed in the construction or assembly of sheet metal products.
Determine project requirements, such as scope, assembly sequences, or required methods or materials, using blueprints, drawings, or written or verbal instructions.
Construct components for high-performance wind turbine systems.
Finish parts, using hacksaws or hand, rotary, or squaring shears.
Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation.
Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems.
Perform building commissioning activities by completing mechanical inspections of a building's water, lighting, or heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Fasten roof panel edges or machine-made moldings to structures by nailing or welding.
Maneuver completed roofing units into position for installation.
Secure metal roof panels in place by interlocking and fastening grooved panel edges.
Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.
Trim, file, grind, deburr, buff, or smooth surfaces, seams, or joints of assembled parts, using hand tools or portable power tools.
Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.

Related Technology & Tools

Scaffolding
Strobe tachometers
Adjustable wrenches
Dimplers
Microamp meters
Calibrated flow hoods
Hoists
Pneumatic impact wrenches
Hand crimpers
Power sanders
Hydraulic presses
Spot welders
Hole punches
Plumb bobs
Cold-cut saws
Velometers
Scale rulers
Tempscribes
Mechanical tachometers
C clamps
Wire cutters
Bar folders
Portable spot welders
Tape measures
Riveting tools
Framing squares
Side cutting pliers
Easy edgers
Pipe reamers
Power presses
Power buffers
Nut drivers
Rivet presses
Beading machines
Psychrometers
Straightedges
Allen wrenches
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Angle grinders
Laser cutters
Drifts
Draft gauges
Unishears
Pneumatic hammers
AC/DC welding power units
V-notchers
Welding helmets
Bandsaws
Metal inert gas MIG welders
Double seaming equipment
Power punches
Beam compasses
Safety gloves
Wiring machines
Multimeters
Setting hammers
Screwdrivers
Magnehelic pressure gauges
Oxygen testers
Spirit levels
Micrometers
Dividers
Ohmmeters
Hand brakes
Millivolt meters
Cold chisels
Adjustable widemouth pliers
Pneumatic riveters
Vernier calipers
Cutoff saws
Electric impact wrenches
Computer controlled saws
Tongs
Safety goggles
Pop rivet guns
Bolt cutters
Cleat formers
Trammel points
Welding facial shields
Riveting hammers
Bumping hammers
Personal computers
Laser levels
Circular saws
Pipe threaders
Protective clothing
Hacksaws
Spiral duct machines
Cordless drills
Groovers
Combination snips
U-tube manometers
Slings
Ladders
Box and pan brakes
AC welding power units
Prick punches
Seamers
Humidity sensors
Ball peen hammers
Nibblers
Clamp-on ammeters
Set squares
Computer controlled presses
Plasma cutters
Calipers
Portable plasma cutters
Center punches
Aviation snips
Hydraulic hoists
Laser printers
T squares
Welding tips
Tap sets
Ammeters
Safety glasses
Polishers
Smoke testers
Turning machines
Cleat folders
Chain hoists
Socket wrench sets
Stencils
Vise grip pliers
Burring machines
Electric drills
Soldering furnaces
Squaring shears
Desktop computers
Scribers
Hammers
Combustion analyzers
Ear muffs
Carbon dioxide CO2 monitors
Jigs
Rotary punches
Hand notchers
Ring and circular shears
Hammer drills
Chalk lines
Foot shears
Caulking guns
Power notchers
Slip roll formers
Power shears
Hand dollies
Squares
Single-cut mill saw files
Pipe cutters
Scratch awls
Oxyacetylene welding equipment
Pitot tubes
Pressure gauges
Power brakes
Templates
Stack thermometers
Inclined manometers
Dial indicators
Drill presses
Punches
Hard hats
Protractors
Digital multimeters
Transit levels
Power routers

UGS NX
Merry Mechanization SMP/IS
FCC Software AutoPOL Series
Applied Production ProFab
QuickPen DuctDesigner 3D
WiCAM PN4000
Computer aided design CAD software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Revcad Software Sheet Lightning
Spreadsheet software
JETCAM Expert
Microsoft Windows
Applied Production ProFold
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office
Striker Systems SS-Profile
Corte Certo
Creo Parametric Pro/ENGINEER
Data entry software
Autodesk AutoCAD
XY Soft Sheet Cutting Suite