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Carpenters


Overview

Introduction

Carpenters cut, shape, level, and fasten together pieces of wood and other construction materials, such as wallboard, plywood, and insulation. Many carpenters work on constructing, remodeling, or repairing houses and other kinds of buildings. Other carpenters work at construction sites where roads, bridges, docks, boats, mining tunnels, and wooden vats are built. They may specialize in building the rough framing of a structure, and thus be considered rough carpenters, or they may specialize in the finishing details of a structure, s...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$46,590

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma
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Experience

Apprenticeship


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Skills

Building/Trades
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Personality Traits

Hands On
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Earnings

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in May 2018 carpenters had median hourly earnings of $22.40. The average worker making this wage and working full time for the year would have an income of approximately $46,590. The lowest paid 10 percent of carpenters made less than $28,860 per year, and the highest paid 10 percent made more than $82,750 annually. It is important to note, however, th...

Work Environment

Carpenters may work either indoors or outdoors. If they do rough carpentry, they will probably do most of their work outdoors. Carpenters may have to work on high scaffolding, or in a basement making cement forms. A construction site can be noisy, dusty, hot, cold, or muddy. Carpenters can expect to be physically active throughout the day, constantly standing, stooping, climbing, and reaching. ...

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts employment growth for carpenters will increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2028. One factor spurring employment growth for carpenters will be that replacement carpenters are anticipated to be needed for the large number of experienced carpenters who leave the field every year for work that is less strenuous. Replacement workers are a...