Carpenter
Trades/Construction · $59,300 median · 12–208 weeks training · Structurally ineligible for Workforce Pell
How we know this
The wage and outlook figures are verified against the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We show our sources so you can check every number yourself.
Honest tradeoffs
physical demands career length concern
Carpentry is physically demanding work. Knee, back, and shoulder injuries are common over 20-30 year careers. Many carpenters transition to supervisory or business-ownership roles in their 40s-50s as physical limits develop.
weather and seasonality residential
Residential framing work is significantly weather-dependent. Northern markets face winter downtime; Southern markets face heat-stress risk. Commercial carpenters typically have more weather-protected work.
Wages
Earnings by career stage
range · estimatedResearched estimates by experience level, setting, and region — see the full breakdown below. The BLS median is the one figure verified directly against bls.gov.
Pay by stage & setting
- Entry-level carpenter helpers earn $35-45K in residential framing
- Experienced commercial carpenters reach $55-75K
- UBC Local journeymen typically $70-95K with pension and benefits
- Superintendents and contractor-owners exceed $100K. Specialty work (millwork, finish carpentry, historic restoration) commands premium. The wide distribution reflects union vs. non-union and residential vs. commercial differences.
Workforce Pell eligibility
Not eligible for Workforce Pell
Training
That's a wide span on purpose: you can start working after a short pre-apprenticeship or entry course, while the longer figure reflects a full apprenticeship. The career ladder below breaks the journey into steps.
Ways in
Paid, on-the-job training combined with classroom hours — you get a wage from day one instead of paying tuition.
Common sponsors: UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners), ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors), AGC (Associated General Contractors)
An associate degree or certificate — usually the fastest accredited credential, far cheaper than a four-year school, and often Workforce Pell–eligible.
Credentials you'll earnwith typical prep time
OSHA 10 (Construction)
OSHA-authorized trainer
Required on most commercial job sites; some states require for residential too.
Source ↗Cost vs. payoff
Cost vs. payoff
- Training cost
- $0–$22,000
- Time to start earning
- ~12 weeks
- Pays for itself in
- about 4 months
- Typical debt
- ~$30,000
- Time to start earning
- ~4 years
- Pays for itself in
- varies widely
We're not anti-college — for many careers a degree is the right call. But the honest gap is real: this path starts paying while a 4-year student is still accumulating cost. Degree figures are a national reference (average borrower debt ~$29–38K; sources vary), not a guarantee for any specific school or major.
Getting started — your first moves
- 1
Find an apprenticeship
Apply to a registered apprenticeship — you earn a paycheck from day one while you train, instead of paying tuition.
- 2
Earn your first credential
Study for and pass the OSHA 10 (Construction).
- 3
Get hired and grow
Land an entry role and start building experience — pay climbs as you move up the career ladder above.
See it where you live
The figures above are national. Pay and programs vary a lot by state — pick yours and we'll send you straight to the official local data, no guessing.
Career ladder
Apprentice Carpenter
Entry$42,000Entry; 4-year UBC program; classroom + on-job training; non-union pathway via direct hire common
Training: UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters) apprenticeship application OR non-union helper start
Journey Carpenter
Year 4$62,000Full journey status; UBC Local wages + pension + benefits; specialty work (finish, framing, formwork) emerging
Training: UBC apprenticeship completion + journey exam (where applicable)
Foreman / Specialty (Finish, Restoration, Cabinet)
Year 8$82,000Specialty restoration pays premium; foreman role manages 5-15 person crew
Training: Leadership development OR specialty depth (finish carpentry, historic restoration, cabinet making)
Contractor Owner / Master Carpenter
Year 12$120,000Ceiling tier; established residential/commercial carpentry contractor businesses generate significant wealth; specialty restoration businesses are particularly durable
Training: State contractor license + business operations
State licensure
No state-specific licensure requirements documented in corpus.
Data limitations
- • BLS OEWS May 2025 per-occupation detail tables not yet pushed
- • Per-state and per-MSA carpenter wage tables
- • UBC Local application windows (active apprenticeship calendar pass)
- • Per-state contractor licensure thresholds
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