What Does a Carpenter Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a carpenter do?

Carpenters build, install and repair building frameworks and structures (walls, floors, roofs, stairs, doors, cabinets and trim) on residential and commercial construction projects. The median pay is $60,580 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–4 years (apprenticeship), and employment is projected to grow +3.9% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$60,580
$29.12/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+3.9%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
62,800
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
3–4 years (apprenticeship)
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
889,700
Employment, 2025

What carpenters do

Carpenters turn plans into structures. Rough carpenters frame walls, floors and roofs and build concrete forms; finish carpenters install doors, windows, cabinets, trim and stairs. They measure, cut and assemble materials using hand and power tools, making sure everything is plumb, level and square.

Many carpenters learn through three- to four-year apprenticeships, while others start as helpers and learn on the job. Carpentry builds broad construction knowledge, so carpenters often become supervisors, superintendents or general contractors.

Typical duties

Read blueprints and building plans
Measure, cut and shape wood, plastic and other materials
Frame walls, floors, roofs and stairs
Install doors, windows, cabinets, trim and molding
Build and remove concrete forms and scaffolding
Inspect and repair damaged structures
Make sure work is plumb, level, square and to code

Work environment and schedule

Carpenters work on construction sites outdoors and indoors in all weather. The work involves lifting heavy materials, climbing ladders and scaffolds, kneeling and using power tools, with risks such as falls and cuts.

Schedule: Usually full-time with early starts. Weather and project schedules can cause overtime or slow periods.

A day in the life

6:30 AMMeet the crew at a new home site and review the framing plan for the second floor.
7:00 AMSnap chalk lines, lay out plates and mark studs 16 inches on center.
9:00 AMFrame walls on the deck, build headers for windows and raise the walls with the crew.
11:30 AMPlumb and brace walls and check that the building is square.

See a full day in the life of a carpenter →

Carpenter salary

Half of carpenters earned more than $60,580 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $40,410 for the lowest 10% to $99,910 for the top 10%.

$40,41010th$60,580Median$99,91090th

Full carpenter pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a carpenter

Finish high school
Get an entry-level job or apprenticeship
Learn layout, framing and finish work
Complete your apprenticeship
Advance

A high school diploma is typical. Carpenters learn through three- to four-year apprenticeships, technical programs or on-the-job training as helpers.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a carpenter →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Blueprint reading
Measuring and layout
Framing
Finish carpentry
Power tool operation

People skills

Teamwork
Attention to detail
Problem-solving
Reliability

All carpenter skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Paid apprenticeships and on-the-job training
Visible results you can be proud of
Broad skills that lead to supervision or contracting
Many paths: framing, finish, cabinetry, commercial

Cons

Physically demanding with injury risk
Outdoor work in heat, cold and rain
Construction can be seasonal or cyclical
Wear and tear on the body over time

Certifications and licenses

Journeyman carpenter (apprenticeship completion): Recognized credential from completing a registered apprenticeship.
OSHA 10 / OSHA 30: Construction safety training required by many employers.
Contractor license: Many states require a license to work as a general or residential contractor.
Scaffold and fall protection training: Often required for commercial work.

Career path

Carpenter Helper or Apprentice: Learn layout, framing and tools.
Journeyman Carpenter: Build and finish structures independently.
Foreman or Finish Specialist: Lead crews or specialize in cabinetry and finish work.
Superintendent or Contractor: Manage projects or run your own business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Carpenter training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as lay out and frame a wall and check a layout for square using the 3-4-5 method, safety and how to land your first job.

View Carpenter training Is this career right for me?

Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

$47,120
Days to weeks (on the job)

Construction and Building Inspector

Inspect buildings and construction to make sure they meet codes and approved plans.

$74,690
Several years of trade experience + certification

Electrician

Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.

$63,190
4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)

Plumber

Install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code.

$63,800
4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)

Compare: Carpenter vs. Construction Laborer · Carpenter vs. Building Inspector · Carpenter vs. Electrician · Carpenter vs. Plumber

Carpenter FAQ

Do carpenters need a license?

Individual carpenters usually don’t need a license, but contractors often do, depending on the state.

How long is a carpentry apprenticeship?

Most last three to four years and combine paid work with classroom instruction.

What kinds of carpenters are there?

Common specialties include framing, finish, cabinetry, formwork and commercial interior carpentry.

How much does a carpenter make?

The median annual wage for carpenters was $60,580 ($29.12 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,410 and the highest 10% earned more than $99,910.

How long does it take to become a carpenter?

Most people need about 3–4 years (apprenticeship) of training. A high school diploma is typical. Carpenters learn through three- to four-year apprenticeships, technical programs or on-the-job training as helpers.

Do you need a degree to be a carpenter?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2031 (Carpenters).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Carpenters (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Carpenter