Journeyman sheet metal workers under SMART Local 16 in Portland, OR earn $50.80/hr in base wages, or $74.01/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Oct 2023. This sheet is more than 2 years old, so confirm the current rate with the hall before quoting it.
SMART Local 16 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list — call the hall to confirm hours, books and what to bring. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 16 pay scale is $50.80 per hour for journeymen in Portland, OR, or about $101,600 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $74.01 per hour. That is the last wage sheet we can source for this local — confirm the current rate with the hall.
| Local 16 journeyman hourly wage | $50.80 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $74.01 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $101,600 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $22.86–$25.40 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 10/25/23 |
A Local 16 apprentice in Portland, OR starts at roughly $22.86 an hour — about 45% of the $50.80 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $38.10 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 16 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $22.86 / hour | $45,720 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $27.94 / hour | $55,880 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $33.02 / hour | $66,040 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $38.10 / hour | $76,200 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $43.18 / hour | $86,360 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $50.80 / hour | $101,600 |
SMART Local 16 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call (503) 254-0123 to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in. Contact details are imported from the UA, SMART and IBEW public directories. Gulfstream is a private recruiting firm, is not affiliated with the local, and does not control hall dispatch.
SMART Local 16 represents skilled sheet metal workers across Oregon and Southwest Washington, maintaining a central presence in the Portland metropolitan market. The local is responsible for ensuring labor standards in architectural sheet metal, commercial HVAC ductwork, and industrial ventilation systems. By providing a centralized pool of highly trained labor, Local 16 supports large-scale infrastructure and commercial development throughout the Pacific Northwest. Members are trained at the Sheet Metal Institute, which provides specialized education in fabrication, installation, and blueprint reading. This training infrastructure ensures that signatory contractors have access to journey-level talent capable of executing complex airflow and exterior cladding projects.
The market in Portland and its surrounding counties is driven by a mix of high-tech manufacturing expansions, healthcare facility upgrades, and sustainable residential high-rises. Local 16 plays a critical role in these developments by enforcing rigorous safety standards and technical precision. For contractors, partnering with the local offers a scalable workforce that can adapt to fluctuating project demands without the risks associated with open-market hiring. For the tradesperson, membership provides a clear career path with standardized pay scales and comprehensive benefits. As the industry moves toward more sophisticated building automation and energy-efficient ventilation, the local's focus on advanced CAD and BIM training remains a cornerstone of the regional construction economy.
As of October 25, 2023, the journeyman hourly rate for SMART Local 16 is $50.80, contributing to a total package of $74.01 per hour. The difference of $23.21 covers essential fringes including health insurance and pension contributions. Apprentices enter the program at a percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting around 40% to 50% for first-year students. These rates increase in scheduled intervals as the apprentice completes classroom hours and documented on-the-job training milestones. Most apprentices reach full journeyman scale after five years of supervised work. This structured progression ensures that labor costs remain predictable for signatory contractors while providing a living wage for those entering the trade. All members should verify their specific classification and any recent cost-of-living adjustments directly with the Local 16 business office or through their current dispatch paperwork.
The jurisdiction for SMART Local 16 is expansive, covering the entire state of Oregon and several counties in Southwest Washington, including the Vancouver area. The union headquarters in Portland serves as the primary dispatch hub for projects ranging from the Columbia River Gorge down through the Willamette Valley. Work under this agreement includes the fabrication, assembly, and installation of all HVAC duct systems, solar components, and architectural metal roofing. It also encompasses specialty stainless steel work for commercial kitchens and precision fabrication for cleanroom environments. Members are dispatched to job sites based on the out-of-work list, ensuring that local labor is prioritized for regional projects while allowing for travel opportunities when demand spikes in specific sub-markets.
The contractor landscape for Local 16 is comprised of a diverse mix of large-scale mechanical primes and specialized architectural fabricators. These firms handle everything from massive industrial ventilation systems for semiconductor plants to intricate decorative metal for urban developments. There is also a significant segment of the signatory market focused on testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) of environmental systems. Hiring is typically managed through the union's dispatch hall, allowing contractors to scale their workforce rapidly for major projects. This relationship ensures that the labor force is consistently trained in the latest industry standards, including LEED requirements and advanced safety protocols, which are frequently required for public works and large private contracts in the Portland region.
HVAC work focuses on indoor air quality, duct systems, and mechanical ventilation components. Architectural sheet metal involves the exterior building envelope, including metal roofing, wall panels, and flashing. Local 16 members are trained in both, though many specialize in one area or the other depending on their signatory employer's primary focus.
The $74.01 total package includes the $50.80 hourly wage plus $23.21 in employer-paid benefits. Unlike non-union roles where health insurance and retirement are often deducted from the base pay, these fringes are paid on top of the wage, ensuring the member's take-home pay is not eroded by essential costs.
Yes, SMART members in good standing can typically request a travel card or a permanent transfer. You must contact the Local 16 business office to discuss current work volume and the specific requirements for 'selling your card' in the Portland market, which may include verifying your hours and certifications.
Members can earn certifications in AWS welding, TABB (Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau) certification, fire damper inspection, and various CAD/BIM software proficiencies. These credentials make a member more versatile and often lead to leadership roles such as foreman or detailer within signatory firms.
SMART Local 16 is seated in Portland, Oregon (OR). We hold published wage sheets for 6 locals across Oregon — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Portland and the rest of Oregon, including contractors signatory to SMART Local 16. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place union-scale tradespeople and field leadership nationwide.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements, 4160 Temescal Canyon Road, Suite 401, Corona, CA 92883. Phone (951) 208-7780. Email hello@gulfstreamsp.com. Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM Pacific.View our verified Google Business Profile
Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 16 pay scale is $50.80 per hour for journeymen in Portland, OR, or about $101,600 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $74.01 per hour. That is the last wage sheet we can source for this local — confirm the current rate with the hall.
Journeyman sheet metal workers under the SMART Local 16 agreement make $50.80 an hour in base wages, or $74.01 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 10/25/23. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$50.80 per hour base wage and $74.01 per hour total package for a journeyman in Portland, OR, effective 10/25/23. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $101,600 before overtime.
A Local 16 apprentice in Portland, OR starts at roughly $22.86 an hour — about 45% of the $50.80 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $38.10 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 16 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $22.86 an hour, or roughly $45,720 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $50.80 journeyman rate effective 10/25/23. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $33.02 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $38.10 an hour in the fourth period and $50.80 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 16 training center.
The current SMART Local 16 journeyman rate is $50.80/hour, with a total package of $74.01/hour including fringe benefits, effective 10/25/23. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $101,600 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 16 business office before relying on the figure.
The $50.80/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $74.01/hour total package adds employer-paid fringes — health and welfare, pension, annuity, apprenticeship training, and industry funds. Contractors bid work off the total package, so that is the number that matters when comparing sheet metal workers labor costs across locals.
Apprentices under the SMART Local 16 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40–50% in the first period and stepping up each six-month or annual period until reaching 100% at turnout. Against the current $50.80/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $22.86–$25.40/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
SMART Local 16 is headquartered in Portland, OR and dispatches sheet metal workers manpower throughout its chartered jurisdiction. Work performed inside that territory falls under the local's collective bargaining agreement and wage schedule, even when the contractor is based elsewhere and travels in.
Most locals require applicants to be at least 18, legally able to work in the U.S., hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a basic math/aptitude assessment and a drug screen, and be physically able to perform sheet metal workers work. Some Local 16 programs give preference to applicants inside the jurisdiction or to veterans. Eligibility rules are set by the local's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), so confirm the current criteria with the hall before applying.
Apprenticeship applications go through the SMART Local 16 JATC, not through a contractor or a recruiter. Applications typically open in defined intake windows each year: you submit the application with proof of age, education, and residency, sit for an aptitude test, and then interview. Ranked applicants are placed on an eligibility list and indentured as signatory contractors call for apprentices. Gulfstream Strategic Placements does not process apprenticeship applications — contact the Local 16 training center directly.
Sheet Metal Workers apprenticeships generally run four to five years — roughly 8,000–10,000 hours of on-the-job training plus several hundred classroom hours per year. Apprentices earn a paycheck the entire time, stepping up through the wage periods until they turn out as journeymen at 100% of scale.
Signatory contractors hire through the local's hiring hall, so working under the SMART Local 16 agreement generally means being a member or being organized in through the local's process. Journeymen from other locals can travel in by signing the out-of-work book, subject to the local's referral rules and manpower needs. Non-union sheet metal workers professionals are usually placed with open-shop contractors instead — we recruit for both.
Rates move with the collective bargaining agreement, typically on a fixed anniversary date each year of a three- to five-year contract, with negotiated increases split between the base wage and the fringe package. The figures on this page reflect the 10/25/23 schedule; check with the Local 16 business office for any increase that has taken effect since.
Wage rates vary widely by local and market. Use the Union Pay Scale Explorer to sort every UA and SMART local by hourly wage, total package, and annualized pay so you can benchmark Local 16 against neighboring jurisdictions and other sheet metal workers markets.
The SMART Local 16 hall is at 2379 Ne 178th Ave Portland OR 97230, serving Portland, OR and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: (503) 254-0123.
SMART Local 16 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at (503) 254-0123 to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in — Gulfstream does not control hall dispatch.
SMART Local 16 can be reached at (503) 254-0123. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.