How to hire a Carpenter

How to hire a carpenter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step carpenter hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a carpenter job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new carpenter
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Carpenter do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a carpenter, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect carpenter also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of carpenters.

   Type Of Carpenter	Description	Hourly Rate
   Carpenter	Carpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, doorframes, partitions, rafters, and bridge supports—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.	$14-25
   Construction Foreman	A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays... Show More	$20-37
   Journeyman	A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman... Show More	$18-39

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Ladders
   • Install Windows
   • Roofing
   • Safety Rules
   • Scaffolding
   • Plumbing
   • Drywall Installation
   • Door Installation
   • Sheetrock
   • Tape Measure
   • Construction Projects
   • Power Saws
   • Repair Cabinets

   Check All Skills

   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.
   • Perform work including, fiberglass framing, concrete form, scaffolding, erecting metal stud walls, drywall and general carpentry
   • General labor practices, carpentry, masonry, cement pouring, hardwood floors, cleanup, and other duties as assigned.

   More Carpenter duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the carpenter job description is a good way to get more applicants. A carpenter salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a carpenter in Alabama may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level carpenter. Additionally, a carpenter with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average carpenter salary

   $41,748yearly

   $20.07 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level carpenter salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated March 27, 2025

   Average carpenter salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	New York	$55,043	$26
   2	California	$54,827	$26
   3	Massachusetts	$52,932	$25
   4	Washington	$49,686	$24
   5	Maryland	$48,214	$23
   6	Nevada	$47,878	$23
   7	New Hampshire	$45,991	$22
   8	Illinois	$43,321	$21
   9	Arizona	$42,779	$21
   10	Missouri	$42,722	$21
   11	Ohio	$42,702	$21
   12	Virginia	$42,414	$20
   13	Maine	$42,230	$20
   14	Colorado	$41,781	$20
   15	Oregon	$41,668	$20
   16	Minnesota	$41,069	$20
   17	Wisconsin	$39,170	$19
   18	Indiana	$39,128	$19
   19	Louisiana	$39,103	$19
   20	Georgia	$39,032	$19

   Average carpenter salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	Argonne National Laboratory	$62,490	$30.04
   2	AbbVie	$61,029	$29.34
   3	Sandia National Labs	$58,694	$28.22
   4	Columbia University in the City of New York	$55,024	$26.45
   5	The Pennington School	$53,381	$25.66
   6	University of California	$53,369	$25.66
   7	Tenet Healthcare	$53,356	$25.65
   8	Hyatt Hotels	$52,939	$25.45	2
   9	University of California-Berkeley	$52,531	$25.26
   10	Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts	$51,990	$25.00
   11	The University of Chicago	$51,851	$24.93
   12	UC Santa Barbara	$51,764	$24.89
   13	Princeton University	$51,199	$24.61	2
   14	Kloeckner Metals	$51,144	$24.59
   15	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	$51,045	$24.54
   16	Carnival Cruise Line	$50,936	$24.49
   17	Engelberth Construction	$50,649	$24.35	2
   18	Pepper Construction	$50,604	$24.33	5
   19	Turner Construction	$50,568	$24.31	8
   20	Cleveland Construction	$50,525	$24.29	4

4. Writing a Carpenter Job Description

   A carpenter job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a carpenter job description:

   Carpenter job description example

   Entry level positions starting between $15-$16 per hour; experienced installers can earn between $20-30 per hour!!

   Mooney & Moses Insulation Cincinnati is part of the Installed Building Products (IBP) family of companies. Integrity, knowledge and excellent service - these aren't just words - they represent how Mooney & Moses does business. Whatever your needs, you can trust us to offer high-quality products and service. Find your next career opportunity and join our team, with Mooney & Moses Insulation Cincinnati !

   Why we love it here: benefits that include medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, vacation, paid holidays, and plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement!

   What You Can Expect

   This role entails installing wire shelving, showers doors, mirrors, and bath/kitchen hardware in the home. You would be completing a punch out list and final touches before the homeowner would move into the home.

   • Follow shelving template to cut material and pre-drill holes and fasten closet shelves to the wall
   • Install shower door kits and custom shower doors
   • Measure and mount mirror(s) to the wall ensuring they are level
   • Fasten and attach hardware to cabinets in kitchens and/or bathrooms
   • Mount towel racks and toilet paper holders to walls
   • Load/unload materials
   • Communicate directly to the customer/builder when necessary

   To Be Successful

   • 0-5 years of experience in the construction industry
   • Proficient in using hand and power tools
   • Valid driver's license to drive a company vehicle

   For Your Safety

   • Walk throughout the residential job site
   • Ascend/descend ladders
   • Transport and lift materials up to 50 lbs

   EEO Statement IBP is an equal opportunity employer.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find carpenters for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your carpenter job on Zippia to find and recruit carpenter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit carpenters, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new carpenter

   Once you have selected a candidate for the carpenter position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new carpenter. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a carpenter?