### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Carpenters Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			CarpentersCarpenters are involved in many different types of construction.							
						Quick Facts:     Carpenters2023     Median Pay
            						$56,350     per year
										$27.09     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    ApprenticeshipNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    956,300Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    8,600What Carpenters Do
                                                
                        
                        
Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Carpenters work indoors and outdoors on many types of construction projects, from installing kitchen cabinets to building highways and bridges.
            
                                                How to Become a Carpenter
                                                
                        
Carpenters typically learn on the job and through apprenticeships.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for carpenters was $56,350 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of carpenters is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 79,500 openings for carpenters are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for carpenters.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of carpenters with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about carpenters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Carpenters Do 
            

			CarpentersCarpenters work with different tools.			
Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.
Duties
Carpenters typically do the following:
Follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients
Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding
Measure, cut, and shape wood, plastic, and other materials
Construct and install building frameworks, including walls, floors, and doorframes
Inspect and replace damaged framework or other structures and fixtures
Instruct and direct laborers and other construction helpersCarpenters have many different tasks. Some carpenters insulate office buildings; others install drywall or kitchen cabinets in homes. Still others focus on production or commercial work to help construct tall buildings or bridges, installing wooden concrete forms for cement footings or pillars. These carpenters also erect shoring and scaffolding for buildings.
Carpenters use many different tools to cut and shape wood, plastic, fiberglass, or drywall. They use handtools, including squares, levels, and chisels, as well as many power tools, such as sanders, circular saws, nail guns, and welding machines. On large projects, carpenters may use rigging hardware and cranes as part of the installation process. Carpenters may also use smart phones, tablets, and other personal electronic devices to assist with planning, drafting, or other calculations.
Carpenters fasten materials with nails, screws, staples, and adhesives and check their work to ensure that it is correct. They use tape measures or laser measures on nearly every project to quickly determine distances. Many employers require carpenters to supply their own tools on the job.
The following are examples of types of carpenters:
***Construction carpenters*** construct, install, and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard, using carpenters’ handtools and power tools.
***Rough carpenters*** build rough wooden structures, such as concrete forms; scaffolds; tunnel, bridge, or sewer supports; and temporary frame shelters, according to sketches, blueprints, or oral instructions.
***Wood flooring installers*** put in a variety of materials, including plank, strip, end-grain, and parquet flooring. These wood products may be nailed in place or glued down. Floor sanders and finishers may smooth the flooring onsite or it may be prefinished prior to installation.
 Work Environment
			CarpentersSelf-employed carpenters often work in residential construction.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Carpenters held about 956,300 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of carpenters were as follows:
        Self-employed workers
                27%Residential building construction
                23Building finishing contractors
                13Nonresidential building construction
                12Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors
                10Carpenters work indoors and outdoors on many types of construction projects, from installing kitchen cabinets to building highways and bridges. Carpenters may work in cramped spaces and frequently alternate between lifting, standing, and kneeling. Those who work outdoors are subject to variable weather, which may affect a project’s schedule.
Injuries and Illnesses
Carpenters sometimes get injured on the job, such as from strains caused by overexertion due to lifting and moving materials. Other common injuries result from falls, slips, trips, and contact with objects or equipment. Workers often wear equipment such as boots, hardhats, protective eyewear, and reflective vests as a safeguard against injuries.
Work Schedules
Most carpenters work full time, which may include evenings and weekends to meet clients’ deadlines. Extreme temperatures or inclement weather may impact building construction timelines, which in turn may affect carpenters’ work hours.
 How to Become a Carpenter

			CarpentersApprentice carpenters learn by working with more experienced coworkers.			
Carpenters typically need a high school diploma and learn on the job or through apprenticeships.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to enter the occupation. Certain high school courses, such as mathematics and mechanical drawing, may be useful. Some vocational-technical schools offer associate’s degrees in carpentry. The programs vary in length and teach basics and specialties in carpentry.
Training
Carpenters typically learn on the job or through apprenticeships. They often begin doing simple tasks, such as measuring and cutting wood, under the guidance of experienced carpenters or other construction workers. They then progress to more complex tasks, such as reading blueprints and building wooden structures.
Several groups, such as unions and contractor associations, sponsor apprenticeship programs. For each year of a typical program, apprentices must complete a predetermined number of hours of technical training and paid on-the-job training. Apprenticeship program requirements differ based on the type of program and by region. Apprentices learn carpentry basics, blueprint reading, mathematics, building code requirements, and safety and first aid practices. They also may receive specialized training in creating and setting concrete forms, rigging, welding, scaffold building, and working within confined workspaces. All carpenters must pass the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour safety course.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Some carpenters work as construction laborers or helpers before becoming carpenters. Laborers and helpers learn tasks that are similar to those of carpenters.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Carpenters may need a driver’s license to travel to jobsites.
Optional programs offer certification by specialty that may allow carpenters to find additional work opportunities or lead to career advancement. For example, the National Association of the Remodeling Industryoffers various levels of certification for remodeling. The National Wood Flooring Association offers certification for installers, craftsman, and master craftsman.
Advancement
Carpenters are involved in many phases of construction and may have opportunities to become first-line supervisors, lead carpenters, independent contractors, or general construction supervisors.
Important Qualities
***Business skills.*** Self-employed carpenters must conduct activities such as bidding on new jobs, tracking inventory, and directing workers.
***Detail oriented.*** Carpenters must be able to precisely cut, measure, and modify the materials they work with.
***Dexterity.*** Carpenters use many tools and need hand-eye coordination to avoid injuring themselves or damaging materials.
***Interpersonal skills.***Carpenters need to work as a member of a team, cooperating with and assisting others. They also may interact with customers.
***Math skills.*** Carpenters frequently use math skills, including basic trigonometry, to calculate the area, size, and amount of material needed for the job.
***Physical strength.*** Carpenters use heavy tools and materials that weigh up to 100 pounds. They also must be able to stand, climb, or bend for many hours.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Carpenters may work independently with little guidance. They need to be able to modify building materials and make adjustments onsite to complete projects.
***Reading comprehension skills.*** Carpenters need advanced reading ability to understand and follow complex instructions for installing certain products, such as doors.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                CarpentersMedian annual wages, May 2023Carpenters$56,350  Construction trades workers$52,000  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for carpenters was $56,350 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,440, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $94,580.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for carpenters in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Nonresidential building construction
                $61,830Building finishing contractors
                57,350Residential building construction
                54,880Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors
                52,000The starting pay for apprentices is less than what fully trained carpenters make. As apprentices gain experience, they receive more pay.
Most carpenters work full time, which may include evenings and weekends to meet clients’ deadlines. Extreme temperatures or inclement weather may impact building construction timelines, which in turn may affect carpenters’ hours.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               CarpentersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Construction trades workers3%  Total, all occupations3%  Carpenters1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of carpenters is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 79,500 openings for carpenters are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Population growth should result in more new-home construction—one of the largest segments employing carpenters—which will create some jobs for carpenters. Construction of factories and other nonresidential buildings also is projected to result in some new jobs over the decade.
However, the popularity of modular and prefabricated components for homes and businesses reduces the need for carpenters to build new structures. Roofs, insulation, walls, and other components, as well as entire buildings, may be manufactured in a separate facility and then assembled onsite.
			

                        Employment projections data for     carpenters, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Carpenters**
			47-2031
			956,300
			964,900
			1
			8,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Carpenters **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of carpenters. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Construction and Building Inspectors**
            Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $67,700**Construction Laborers and Helpers**
            Construction laborers and helpers perform tasks, such as using, supplying, or holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment, on construction sites.
            See How to Become One
            $44,310**Drywall Installers, Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers**
            Drywall and ceiling tile installers hang wallboard and install ceiling tile inside buildings. Tapers prepare the wallboard for painting.
            No formal educational credential
            $57,010**General Maintenance and Repair Workers**
            General maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $46,700**Insulation Workers**
            Insulation workers install and replace the materials used to insulate buildings or mechanical systems.
            See How to Become One
            $49,350**Roofers**
            Roofers replace, repair, and install the roofs of buildings.
            No formal educational credential
            $50,030**Solar Photovoltaic Installers**
            Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,800**Flooring Installers and Tile and Stone Setters**
            Flooring installers and tile and stone setters lay and finish carpet, wood, vinyl, tile, and other materials.
            No formal educational credential
            $48,690**Woodworkers**
            Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $39,390
 Contacts for More Information
								
For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local contractors or firms that employ carpenters, or local union–management carpenter apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.govto search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about carpenters, including training opportunities, visit
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors of America
Home Builders Institute
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
NCCER
National Wood Flooring Association
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Carpenters Training Fund
For more information about pre-apprenticeship training, visit
National Building Trades Union
For information about opportunities for military veterans, visit:
Helmets to Hardhats

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Carpenters
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Carpenters, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/carpenters.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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