# How to Become a Carpenter

[Skilled trade guides](/trades/)

Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures from wood and other materials, from framing houses to finish trim. Median pay is **$60,580 per year** ($29.12/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.

      2025 median pay$60,580/year ($29.12/hour)
      Entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalent
      Training pathApprenticeship (typically 3-4 years)
      Job outlook4% growth 2025-35, about as fast as average; ~62,800 openings a year
      Jobs in the US889,700

## The path in, step by step

- Start as a laborer or carpenter's helper; many carpenters learn entirely on the job.
- Formal 3-to-4-year apprenticeships run through union locals (United Brotherhood of Carpenters) or ABC chapters, mixing paid work with classes.
- Specialize: framing, finish carpentry, cabinetmaking, and concrete formwork are distinct tracks with different pay.
- Experienced carpenters often become crew leads, estimators, or general contractors.

## How long it takes

3 to 4 years to journeyman via apprenticeship; faster informally.

## What it costs

Apprenticeships are paid; trade school carpentry programs run a few thousand dollars.

## What working tradespeople say

- Finish carpentry and cabinetmaking pay better and are easier on the body than framing.
- Learn to read blueprints early; it separates laborers from carpenters.
- Residential remodeling offers steadier local work than new construction booms and busts.
- Your own truck and basic tools make you hirable anywhere in the country.

## Run your own numbers

See what the hourly rate means per paycheck with our [salary to hourly calculator](/salary-hourly/), and compare lifetime earnings against a college path with the [compound interest calculator](/compound-interest/) (four years of earning vs four years of tuition changes the math dramatically). When you are job hunting, our [resume templates](/resume-templates/) and [cover letter examples](/cover-letter-examples/) are free.

## More trade guides

- [**Electrician**$63,190/yr median](/trades/electrician/)
- [**Plumber**$63,800/yr median](/trades/plumber/)
- [**HVAC Technician**$61,010/yr median](/trades/hvac-technician/)
- [**Welder**$53,750/yr median](/trades/welder/)
- [**Auto Mechanic**$50,620/yr median](/trades/auto-mechanic/)
- [**Ironworker**$62,780/yr median](/trades/ironworker/)
- [**Solar Installer**$53,140/yr median](/trades/solar-installer/)
- [**Truck Driver (CDL)**$58,640/yr median](/trades/truck-driver/)
- [**Boilermaker**$76,410/yr median](/trades/boilermaker/)
- [**Elevator Installer**$109,910/yr median](/trades/elevator-installer/)
- [**Sheet Metal Worker**$61,800/yr median](/trades/sheet-metal-worker/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does carpenter pay?

The national median is $60,580 per year ($29.12/hour) as of May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half earn more, half earn less; apprentices start lower and experienced specialists earn much more.

### Do I need college to get into the trades?

No. Every trade on this page lists a high school diploma or a short certificate as the entry credential. The training happens through paid apprenticeships or trade school, not four-year degrees.

### How long does it take to become a carpenter?

3 to 4 years to journeyman via apprenticeship; faster informally.

### Union or non-union: which is better?

Union apprenticeships generally pay more during training and offer stronger benefits and pensions, but can have waitlists. Non-union paths through contractor associations or direct hire can start faster. Many successful tradespeople do both over a career.

### Will AI replace trade jobs?

Physical trades that work in unpredictable real-world environments (wiring buildings, fixing pipes, driving trucks) are among the hardest jobs to automate. The BLS projects continued openings driven mostly by retirements.