Construction carpenters: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Construction carpenters construct, install, and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard, using carpenters hand tools and power tools.
- Education Required
- A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. High school courses in mathematics, mechanical drawing, and general vocational technical training are considered useful. Some technical schools offer associates degrees in carpentry. The programs vary in length and teach basics and specialties in carpentry.
- Training Required
- Carpenters typically learn on the job and through apprenticeships and learn the proper use of hand and power tools on the job. They often begin doing simpler tasks under the guidance of experienced carpenters. For example, they start with measuring and cutting wood, and learn to do more complex tasks, such as reading blueprints and building wooden structures.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 8% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Carpenters are involved in many phases of construction and may have opportunities to become first-line supervisors, independent contractors, or general construction supervisors.
- Licenses/Certifications
- Many carpenters need a drivers license or reliable transportation, since their work is done on jobsites.
- Median pay: How much do Carpenters make?
- $43,600 Annual Salary
- $20.96 per hour
Careers for Carpenters
- Apprentice carpenters
- Beam builders
- Brattice builders
- Building carpenters
- Carpenter apprentices
- Commercial carpenters
- Counter installers
- Custom wood stair builders
- Finish carpenters
- Hardwood floor installers
- House carpenters
- Industrial carpenters
- Residential carpenters
- Rough carpenters
- Wood floor layers