How To Become A Carpenter: What It Is and Career Path

Q: Do carpenters make good money?

Yes, carpenters make good money. The average annual salary for a carpenter is $41,758, putting them well over the national average for other jobs requiring only a high-school diploma.

Q: How do I start a career as a carpenter?

To start a career as a carpenter, you will likely need to complete an apprenticeship. It is possible to get a carpenter job with only a high school diploma or equivalent, but completing an apprenticeship will give you the skills and knowledge needed to earn your training verification card and begin work as a journeyman carpenter.

Q: How long does it take to become a finish carpenter?

It takes three to five years to become a finish carpenter. It is possible to become a finished carpenter with only a high-school diploma and basic maths and interpersonal skills. A carpentry apprenticeship is three to five years of relevant classroom instruction and field training.

Q: How to become a carpenter with no experience

Becoming a carpenter with no experience takes time and involves you following one of several similar paths. The various paths to becoming a carpenter provide a working environment in which you learn from skilled professionals.

Q: Is carpentry a good career?

Yes, carpentry is a good career. Carpenters seem to think so, anyway. They reported to US News average to above-average job satisfaction rates, citing work environment, flexibility, and career progression.

Q: What are the pros and cons of being a carpenter?

The pros and cons of being a carpenter relate to the ability to work with your hands, develop strong repair skills, and injury possibilities. Here are the top pros and cons of being a carpenter:

Q: What qualifications do you need to be a carpenter?

To be a carpenter, you need brains, brawn, and a high school diploma or equivalent. You do not need a college degree. You will need basic industrial math skills, specific industry knowledge, and various soft skills. The best way to gain and develop these is by completing a carpentry apprenticeship under a licensed master carpenter.

What is a carpenter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A carpenter works with wood to construct, repair, and install structures.. They use tools such as saws, drills, hammers, and chisels to cut, shape, and join wood pieces. Carpenters may also work with drywall, plastics, and metals. They read blueprints and follow building codes to ensure safe and accurate work. Carpenters may specialize in areas such as framing, finishing work, or cabinetry. They work indoors and outdoors, often on construction sites or in workshops.

ScoreCarpenterUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $41,748

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.6

Growth Rate 2%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.10%

Asian 1.60%

Black or African American 7.11%

Hispanic or Latino 23.31%

Unknown 4.66%

White 62.23%

Gender

female 4.27%

male 95.73%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress Level

7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.1

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Carpenter?

Pros

Physical activity provides exercise and a sense of accomplishment
Potential for self-employment and entrepreneurship
Good pay and benefits with experience and skill development
High demand for skilled workers in residential and commercial construction industries
Ability to work on historical restoration projects

Cons

Long hours or overtime may be required to meet deadlines or complete projects on time
Lack of job security in some cases due to fluctuations in the construction industry
Limited advancement opportunities in some companies or positions
Apprenticeship programs require a significant time commitment with lower pay initially
May require travel depending on project location

Key steps to become a carpenter

Explore carpenter education requirements

Most common carpenter degrees

High School Diploma

42.1 %

Bachelor's

22.7 %

Associate

18.3 %

Start to develop specific carpenter skills

Skills	Percentages
Hand Tools	16.96%
Ladders	7.73%
Install Windows	6.95%
Roofing	6.62%
Safety Rules	6.45%

Complete relevant carpenter training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New carpenters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a carpenter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real carpenter resumes.

Gain additional carpenter certifications

Carpenter certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific carpenter certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for carpenters include OSHA Safety Certificate and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

More About Certifications

Research carpenter duties and responsibilities

Remodel homes, roofing, electric, plumbing, framework, Sheetrock, finishing work.
Hoist tar and roofing materials to roofs, using ropes and pulleys, or carry materials up ladders.
Follow establish safety rules and regulations as specified by OSHA and maintain a safe and clean work environment.
Perform new construction, concrete foundations, layout framing, formwork, roofing, site preparation through fine finish.

Prepare your carpenter resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your carpenter resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a carpenter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Carpenter Resume templates

Build a professional Carpenter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Carpenter resume.

Apply for carpenter jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a carpenter job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do carpenters rate their job?

4.86/5

Based On 7 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Carpenter reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2023

Pros

Great Pay and benefits ($100,000) without spending the money on college. They have their own apprenticeship program. Is 100% self funded and does not use any tax dollars.

Cons

Some days are hot, some days are cold

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023

Pros

Seeing the finished product

Cons

I am a master carpenter. It’s hard sometimes waiting on materials to finish a job

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023

Pros

Livable wage

Cons

Travel expenses, working away from home, working in bad conditions

Carpenter FAQs

What is a carpenter and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a Carpenter?

Carpenter career paths

Key steps to become a carpenter

Explore carpenter education requirements

Most common carpenter degrees

Start to develop specific carpenter skills

Complete relevant carpenter training and internships

Gain additional carpenter certifications

Research carpenter duties and responsibilities

Prepare your carpenter resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Carpenter Resume templates

Apply for carpenter jobs

How Did You Land Your First Carpenter Job

Average carpenter salary

How do carpenters rate their job?

Carpenter reviews

Carpenter FAQs

Do carpenters make good money?

How do I start a career as a carpenter?

How long does it take to become a finish carpenter?

How to become a carpenter with no experience

Is carpentry a good career?

What are the pros and cons of being a carpenter?

What qualifications do you need to be a carpenter?

Search for carpenter jobs

Carpenter jobs by state