Journeyman sheet metal workers under SMART Local 177 in Nashville, TN earn $37.03/hr in base wages, or $53.41/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Undated.
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SMART Local 177 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 177 pay scale is $37.03 per hour for journeymen in Nashville, TN, or about $74,060 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $53.41 per hour. That is the rate in force, effective Undated.
| Local 177 journeyman hourly wage | $37.03 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $53.41 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $74,060 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $16.66–$18.52 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | Undated |
| Classification | Journeyperson |
A Local 177 apprentice in Nashville, TN starts at roughly $16.66 an hour — about 45% of the $37.03 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $27.77 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 177 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $16.66 / hour | $33,327 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $20.37 / hour | $40,733 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $24.07 / hour | $48,139 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $27.77 / hour | $55,545 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $31.48 / hour | $62,951 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $37.03 / hour | $74,060 |
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Local 177 wages: $37.03 an hour on the journeyman scale, $53.41 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective Undated. That is the most recent Nashville, TN sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 31% of the SMART Local 177 package is employer-paid benefits and fringes rather than wages, which is why the package figure and a take-home hourly rate are not the same number.
Verified from official source: SMART International careers page for Local 177
Download the SMART Local 177 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective Undated.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $16.38/hr | Derived: total package minus base wage. This is the employer's combined hourly contribution to the funds, not take-home pay. |
|---|---|---|
| What the contributions fund | Health & welfare, pension, annuity, training and industry funds | Standard fund categories in mechanical and electrical agreements. The exact split between funds is set in the local's agreement — the hall or fund office publishes the schedule. |
| Paid on | Every hour worked | Fringe contributions are made per hour worked, so they scale with dispatched hours and are paid to the funds rather than to the member. |
The rates above are the SMART Local 177 scale used across the Nashville, TN area. Members dispatched out of this hall work commercial HVAC sheet metal, duct fabrication and installation, architectural sheet metal and test and balance for signatory contractors throughout the Nashville metro, so a sheet metal wage quoted locally is normally this scale plus the fringe package shown in the table.
Gulfstream recruits sheet metal talent for commercial mechanical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Nashville. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 177 rates. For current Nashville scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
SMART Local 177 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call (615) 292-0587 to confirm dispatch procedure, 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 177 represents the skilled sheet metal workers, HVAC technicians, and industrial fabricators serving the Nashville metropolitan area and middle Tennessee. As an affiliate of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), this local provides the specialized labor force necessary for the region's rapid commercial and industrial expansion. Members of Local 177 are responsible for the fabrication and installation of ductwork, architectural sheet metal, and complex ventilation systems that define the modern Nashville skyline. By maintaining rigorous training standards, the local ensures that signatory contractors have access to a workforce capable of executing high-precision mechanical projects across the state.
The Nashville market is currently a primary hub for large-scale construction, ranging from healthcare facilities and data centers to sports arenas and manufacturing plants. SMART Local 177 plays a critical role in this ecosystem by managing the labor supply for signatory mechanical firms. Because middle Tennessee is a 'Right-to-Work' environment, the union's value proposition focuses heavily on its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) and the superior quality of its journey-level tradespeople. For contractors, partnering with Local 177 provides a scalable workforce for massive projects that exceed the capacity of non-union shops, while for workers, it offers a structured path to mastery in the sheet metal trade with clear contractual protections.
The pay scale for SMART Local 177 is governed by a collective bargaining agreement that establishes a base hourly rate and a total fringe package. While specific wage figures are not published publicly for this region and should be confirmed directly with the Nashville business office, the compensation structure follows a standard percentage-based progression for apprentices. Typically, an entry-level apprentice starts at a percentage of the journeyman rate—often around 40 to 50 percent—and receives scheduled increases every six to twelve months as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. By the time a member reaches journeyman status, they receive the full negotiated rate plus employer-paid contributions to health and retirement funds, which significantly increases the total value of their hourly labor beyond the base check.
The chartered jurisdiction for Local 177 covers a vast portion of Middle Tennessee, centered on Davidson County and the surrounding Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin metropolitan area. This territory includes high-growth zones along the I-24 and I-65 corridors, where industrial manufacturing and commercial office development are most prevalent. The union's dispatch handles assignments for various job sites, including architectural metal installations on downtown high-rises and heavy-gauge industrial ductwork in manufacturing facilities. Members are expected to travel within this regional footprint to fulfill manpower requests from signatory contractors, with specific travel pay or subsistence rules defined within the local agreement for projects exceeding a certain mileage from the city center.
The contractor landscape for SMART Local 177 consists of a diverse mix of signatory mechanical primes and specialized fabrication shops. These employers range from large multi-state mechanical contractors who handle massive healthcare and industrial builds to smaller, locally owned firms specializing in architectural metal or HVAC service. Hiring fluctuates based on the pipeline of large-scale commercial developments in Nashville's urban core and surrounding counties. Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has tracked the movement of skilled labor in this market, noting that signatory firms often rely on Local 177 to man up for peak labor demands that require specialized certifications, such as AWS welding or TAB (Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing) expertise.
Because the Local 177 pay scale is subject to periodic negotiations between the union and signatory contractors, there is no single static number published here. The total package includes a base hourly wage plus employer-paid benefits like health insurance and pension. To get the most accurate, current rates for journeymen or specific apprentice years, you should contact the SMART Local 177 business office in Nashville directly.
Yes, while the core of Local 177 is sheet metal fabrication and installation, the SMART organization provides extensive training for HVAC service technicians. This includes refrigeration cycle theory, electrical troubleshooting, and controls. Members can pursue specialized certifications that allow them to work for signatory mechanical service contractors throughout the Middle Tennessee region, covering both residential and heavy commercial equipment.
Members of other SMART locals looking to transfer into Nashville must be in good standing with their home local. The process typically involves contacting the Local 177 Business Manager, presenting a valid travel card, and verifying the local work outlook. Since Nashville is a high-demand market, transfers are often welcomed, though they remain subject to current signatory contractor manpower needs and local executive board approval.
Members of Local 177 are involved in nearly every major construction project in Nashville. This includes installing architectural panels on modern office towers, building out massive HVAC systems for the city's expanding healthcare facilities, and performing industrial specialty work for the automotive and manufacturing plants located in the surrounding counties. They also handle custom fabrication in signatory shops, producing the ductwork and fittings used on these sites.
SMART Local 177 is seated in Nashville, Tennessee (TN). We hold published wage sheets for 15 locals across Tennessee — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements recruits mechanical construction and service staff for contractors nationwide, union and open shop. These are markets where we run the most searches: Phoenix mechanical recruiter · Bay Area mechanical recruiter · Las Vegas mechanical recruiter · Sacramento mechanical recruiter. Post a role.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Nashville and the rest of Tennessee, including contractors signatory to SMART Local 177. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place union-scale tradespeople and field leadership nationwide.
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Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 177 pay scale is $37.03 per hour for journeymen in Nashville, TN, or about $74,060 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $53.41 per hour. That is the rate in force, effective Undated.
Journeyman sheet metal workers under the SMART Local 177 agreement make $37.03 an hour in base wages, or $53.41 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective Undated. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$37.03 per hour base wage and $53.41 per hour total package for a journeyman in Nashville, TN, effective Undated. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $74,060 before overtime.
A Local 177 apprentice in Nashville, TN starts at roughly $16.66 an hour — about 45% of the $37.03 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $27.77 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 177 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $16.66 an hour, or roughly $33,327 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $37.03 journeyman rate effective Undated. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $24.07 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $27.77 an hour in the fourth period and $37.03 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 177 training center.
Local 177 wages: $37.03 an hour on the journeyman scale, $53.41 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective Undated. That is the most recent Nashville, TN sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Yes — a one-page printable SMART Local 177 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/smart-local-177-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $37.03 hourly scale, the $53.41 total package and the Undated effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current SMART Local 177 journeyman rate is $37.03/hour, with a total package of $53.41/hour including fringe benefits, effective Undated. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $74,060 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 177 business office before relying on the figure.
The $37.03/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $53.41/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 177 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 $37.03/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $16.66–$18.52/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
SMART Local 177 is headquartered in Nashville, TN 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 177 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 177 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 177 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 177 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 Undated schedule; check with the Local 177 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 177 against neighboring jurisdictions and other sheet metal workers markets.
The SMART Local 177 hall is at 4709 Alabama Avenue Nashville TN 37209, serving Nashville, TN and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: (615) 292-0587.
SMART Local 177 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at (615) 292-0587 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 177 can be reached at (615) 292-0587. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.
$37.03/hr in base wages for journeyperson, or $53.41/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective Undated per the SMART International careers page for Local 177 wage determination.
Undated. Effective date on the source wage sheet is not machine-readable — treat this rate as directional and confirm with the local before quoting.
No — the $37.03/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $16.38/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $53.41/hr package.
No. Gulfstream Strategic Placements is a private mechanical construction recruiting firm. We are not affiliated with the local, we do not run dispatch, and we do not set or negotiate union rates. We publish the local's own sourced figures as a reference for members and contractors.
Moderate confidence — last cross-checked against the source on Sep 28, 2026 (2 days ago). Always confirm the current step with the hall before relying on it for an offer.