How to Become a Carpenter
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 education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training path | Apprenticeship (typically 3-4 years) |
| Job outlook | 4% growth 2025-35, about as fast as average; ~62,800 openings a year |
| Jobs in the US | 889,700 |
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, and compare lifetime earnings against a college path with the compound interest calculator (four years of earning vs four years of tuition changes the math dramatically). When you are job hunting, our resume templates and cover letter examples are free.
More trade guides
- Electrician$63,190/yr median
- Plumber$63,800/yr median
- HVAC Technician$61,010/yr median
- Welder$53,750/yr median
- Auto Mechanic$50,620/yr median
- Ironworker$62,780/yr median
- Solar Installer$53,140/yr median
- Truck Driver (CDL)$58,640/yr median
- Boilermaker$76,410/yr median
- Elevator Installer$109,910/yr median
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800/yr median
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.