Career comparison
Carpenter vs. Manufactured Home Installer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Carpenters earn more at the median ($60,580 vs. $45,990), while manufactured home installers usually get to work faster (A few weeks to months of training). Carpenters build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials. Manufactured home installers set up and connect manufactured and modular homes on site.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Carpenter | Manufactured Home Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $60,580 ($29.12/hr) | $45,990 ($22.11/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $40,410 – $99,910 | $27,120 – $60,810 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.9% (about as fast as average) | +5.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 62,800 | 300 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | A few weeks to months |
| Key credential | Journeyman carpenter (apprenticeship completion) | State installer license |
| Work setting | Carpenters work on construction sites outdoors and indoors in all weather. | Installers work outdoors at home sites and parks.. |
What each job does
Carpenter
- 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
Manufactured Home Installer
- Set homes
- Level homes
- Install anchors
- Join sections
- Connect utilities
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working outdoors, teamwork, and in-demand. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose carpenter if…
- I enjoy building things and seeing the results
- I’m good with measurements and spatial thinking
- I don’t mind working outdoors in different weather
Choose manufactured home installer if…
- I like varied hands-on work
- I don’t mind crawl spaces
- I like teamwork
Still torn? Take the Carpenter fit quiz and the Manufactured Home Installer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, carpenter or manufactured home installer?
Carpenters earn more at the median: $60,580 versus $45,990 for manufactured home installers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Manufactured Home Installers typically train faster (A few weeks to months) than carpenters (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects manufactured home installers to grow +5.8% from 2025–35, compared with +3.9% for carpenters.