Career comparison
Carpenter vs. Painter
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. $49,400), while painters usually get to work faster (1–6 months on the job of training). Carpenters build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials. Painters prepare and paint walls, trim, buildings and structures for protection and a clean finish.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Carpenter | Painter | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $60,580 ($29.12/hr) | $49,400 ($23.75/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $40,410 – $99,910 | $37,440 – $78,810 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.9% (about as fast as average) | +3.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 62,800 | 24,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | 1–6 months on the job |
| Key credential | Journeyman carpenter (apprenticeship completion) | EPA RRP Certified Renovator |
| Work setting | Carpenters work on construction sites outdoors and indoors in all weather. | Painters work indoors and outdoors in homes, offices, schools, factories and on bridges and tanks. |
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
Painter
- Protect floors, furniture and fixtures before work starts
- Wash, scrape, sand and patch surfaces
- Caulk gaps and apply primer
- Apply paint and coatings with brushes, rollers and sprayers
- Mix and match colors and finishes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, working outdoors, and creative work. 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 painter if…
- I like making spaces look clean and finished
- I’m patient with careful prep work
- I’m comfortable on ladders
Still torn? Take the Carpenter fit quiz and the Painter fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, carpenter or painter?
Carpenters earn more at the median: $60,580 versus $49,400 for painters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Painters typically train faster (1–6 months on the job) than carpenters (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects carpenters to grow +3.9% from 2025–35, compared with +3.0% for painters.