Journeyman sheet metal workers under SMART Local 23 in Anchorage, AK earn $52.08/hr in base wages, or $78.56/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Mar 2026.
SMART Local 23 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 23 pay scale for 2026 is $52.08 per hour for journeymen in Anchorage, AK, or about $104,160 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $78.56 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 3/6/26.
| Local 23 journeyman hourly wage | $52.08 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $78.56 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $104,160 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $23.44–$26.04 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 3/6/26 |
A Local 23 apprentice in Anchorage, AK starts at roughly $23.44 an hour — about 45% of the $52.08 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $39.06 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 23 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $23.44 / hour | $46,872 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $28.64 / hour | $57,288 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $33.85 / hour | $67,704 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $39.06 / hour | $78,120 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $44.27 / hour | $88,536 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $52.08 / hour | $104,160 |
SMART Local 23 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call (907) 277-5313 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 23 represents the sheet metal workers across the vast geography of Alaska, providing the skilled labor force necessary for the state's unique building and industrial requirements. Headquartered in Anchorage, this local union is responsible for the fabrication, installation, and maintenance of HVAC systems, architectural sheet metal, and industrial ventilation. Given the extreme climate conditions found throughout the region, the demand for high-performance ductwork and precise environmental controls makes Local 23 a cornerstone of the Alaskan construction industry. Members work on everything from high-rise commercial structures in urban centers to specialized industrial facilities in remote areas.
The Alaskan sheet metal market is defined by a reliance on highly durable materials and sophisticated fabrication techniques to combat sub-arctic conditions. SMART Local 23 ensures that its members are trained to meet these rigorous standards through a comprehensive apprenticeship program and ongoing journeyman upgrades. Signatory contractors in the region depend on this union to provide a stable pipeline of qualified sheet metal technicians who can handle complex projects including hospital ventilation, school renovations, and large-scale government infrastructure. For contractors and tradespeople alike, understanding the specific labor dynamics of Local 23 is essential for managing costs and ensuring project success in the Last Frontier.
Based on the schedule effective March 6, 2026, the journeyman hourly rate for SMART Local 23 is established at $52.08. When accounting for the full fringe benefit package, the total compensation reaches $78.56 per hour. Apprentices entering the program typically begin at a percentage of the journeyman rate, often starting around 45% to 50% for first-year students. As they complete required classroom hours and reach specific on-the-job training milestones, these percentages increase incrementally—usually every six to twelve months—until they reach full journeyman status. This structure ensures that labor costs remain predictable for signatory primes while providing a clear upward trajectory for workers as they master the sheet metal trade.
The jurisdiction of SMART Local 23 is immense, covering the entire State of Alaska. While the highest concentration of work is centered in the Anchorage Bowl and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the charter extends to Fairbanks, the Kenai Peninsula, and remote job sites across the interior and North Slope. Members may be dispatched to diverse environments ranging from maritime coastal areas to high-latitude industrial camps. The work covered under this agreement includes the fabrication of all sheet metal products, the installation of air handling units, architectural metal roofing, and specialty stainless steel work for commercial kitchens and labs. Travel and subsistence pay often apply to projects located outside of the primary dispatch zones.
The signatory contractor landscape for SMART Local 23 consists of a mix of large-scale mechanical primes, specialized architectural metal firms, and dedicated HVAC service providers. Many of these firms operate their own high-tech fabrication shops in Anchorage or Fairbanks, utilizing CNC plasma cutters and automated coil lines to support field operations. Hiring fluctuates based on seasonal windows and large-scale industrial cycles, particularly in the public works and oil and gas sectors. Gulfstream Strategic Placements has tracked the Alaskan market since 2014, noting that these contractors prioritize workers who can demonstrate versatility across both shop fabrication and field installation in challenging weather conditions.
As of March 6, 2026, the total package for a journeyman is $78.56 per hour. This includes the $52.08 taxable hourly wage plus $26.48 in fringe benefits such as pension, health insurance, and training funds. This package ensures that members receive high-quality benefits that are not deducted from their base hourly pay, providing long-term financial security for sheet metal workers in Alaska.
Yes, SMART Local 23 holds jurisdiction over the entire state of Alaska, which includes the North Slope and other remote industrial regions. Work in these areas often falls under specialized project labor agreements or specific industrial addendums within the master agreement. These roles frequently involve camp work with rotation schedules and additional compensation for travel and remote living conditions.
The apprenticeship program through Local 23 typically spans four to five years. It combines thousands of hours of supervised on-the-job training with classroom instruction at the JATC facility. Apprentices learn crucial skills including blueprint reading, CAD/BIM modeling, welding, and advanced layout. Completion of the program results in nationally recognized journeyman credentials through SMART and the Department of Labor.
Architectural sheet metal is a significant sector for Local 23 members. This includes the installation of metal wall panels, standing seam roofing, and decorative copper or aluminum work. Because Alaska's climate requires robust building envelopes, skilled architectural sheet metal workers are in consistent demand for commercial developments, airports, and institutional buildings where moisture protection and durability are paramount.
SMART Local 23 is seated in Anchorage, Alaska (AK). We hold published wage sheets for 4 locals across Alaska — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Anchorage and the rest of Alaska, including contractors signatory to SMART Local 23. 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 23 pay scale for 2026 is $52.08 per hour for journeymen in Anchorage, AK, or about $104,160 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $78.56 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 3/6/26.
Journeyman sheet metal workers under the SMART Local 23 agreement make $52.08 an hour in base wages, or $78.56 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 3/6/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$52.08 per hour base wage and $78.56 per hour total package for a journeyman in Anchorage, AK, effective 3/6/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $104,160 before overtime.
A Local 23 apprentice in Anchorage, AK starts at roughly $23.44 an hour — about 45% of the $52.08 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $39.06 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 23 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $23.44 an hour, or roughly $46,872 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $52.08 journeyman rate effective 3/6/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $33.85 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $39.06 an hour in the fourth period and $52.08 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 23 training center.
The current SMART Local 23 journeyman rate is $52.08/hour, with a total package of $78.56/hour including fringe benefits, effective 3/6/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $104,160 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 23 business office before relying on the figure.
The $52.08/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $78.56/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 23 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 $52.08/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $23.44–$26.04/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
SMART Local 23 is headquartered in Anchorage, AK 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 23 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 23 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 23 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 23 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 3/6/26 schedule; check with the Local 23 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 23 against neighboring jurisdictions and other sheet metal workers markets.
The SMART Local 23 hall is at 1317 Eas 75th Avenue #4 Anchorage AK 99518, serving Anchorage, AK and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: (907) 277-5313.
SMART Local 23 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at (907) 277-5313 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 23 can be reached at (907) 277-5313. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.