What Carpenters Do

Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.

Work Environment

Carpenters work indoors and outdoors on many types of construction projects, from installing kitchen cabinets to building highways and bridges.

How to Become a Carpenter

Carpenters typically learn on the job and through apprenticeships.

Pay

The median annual wage for carpenters was $56,350 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Employment of carpenters is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.

Despite limited employment growth, about 79,500 openings for carpenters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.