Carpenters
Overview
Introduction
Carpenters cut, shape, level, and fasten together pieces of wood and other construction materials, such as wallboard, plywood, and insulation. Many carpenters work on constructing, remodeling, or repairing houses and other kinds of buildings. Other carpenters work at construction sites where roads, bridges, docks, boats, mining tunnels, and wooden vats are built. They may specialize in building the rough framing of a structure, and thus be considered rough carpenters, or they may specialize in the finishing details of a structure, s...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in May 2023, carpenters had median hourly earnings of $27.09. The average worker making this wage and working full time for the year would have an income of approximately $56,350. The lowest paid 10 percent of carpenters made less than $37,440 per year, and the highest paid 10 percent made more than $94,580 annually. It is important to note, however, t...
Work Environment
Carpenters may work either indoors or outdoors. If they do rough carpentry, they will probably do most of their work outdoors. Carpenters may have to work on high scaffolding, or in a basement making cement forms. A construction site can be noisy, dusty, hot, cold, or muddy. Carpenters can expect to be physically active throughout the day, constantly standing, stooping, climbing, and reaching. ...
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts employment growth for carpenters will have little or no change through 2032. Employment opportunities will arise due to the need to replace experienced carpenters who leave the field every year for work that is less strenuous. Replacement workers are also needed for the fair amount of workers just starting out in the field who decide to move on to more comf...