Carpenters
Architecture and ConstructionO*NET 47-2031.00United States
Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation.
- Median annual earnings
- $54,702
- Projected change
- +2.5%
- Typical education
- High school diploma or less
- Employment
- 994.68K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
70.1% of the workforce
Growing to 1.02M by 2035
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ASU learning related to this career
These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.
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The work
What carpenters do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.
- Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.
- Assemble and fasten materials to make frameworks or props, using hand tools and wood screws, nails, dowel pins, or glue.
- Study specifications in blueprints, sketches, or building plans to prepare project layout and determine dimensions and materials required.
- Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws.
- Verify trueness of structure, using plumb bob and level.
- Inspect ceiling or floor tile, wall coverings, siding, glass, or woodwork to detect broken or damaged structures.
- Erect scaffolding or ladders for assembling structures above ground level.
- Install structures or fixtures, such as windows, frames, floorings, trim, or hardware, using carpenters' hand or power tools.
- Maintain records, document actions, and present written progress reports.
- Remove damaged or defective parts or sections of structures and repair or replace, using hand tools.
- Maintain job records and schedule work crew.
- Anchor and brace forms and other structures in place, using nails, bolts, anchor rods, steel cables, planks, wedges, and timbers.
- Bore boltholes in timber, masonry or concrete walls, using power drill.
- Install rough door and window frames, subflooring, fixtures, or temporary supports in structures undergoing construction or repair.
- Dig or direct digging of post holes and set poles to support structures.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $32,227
- 25th percentile
- $41,560
- 50th percentile
- $54,702
- 75th percentile
- $74,295
- 90th percentile
- $106,877
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $54,702 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+2.5%average or slower
2025994,677 jobs
2035 projected1,019,075 jobs
24,398 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- High school diploma or less
- 70.1%
- Certificate
- 21.5%
- Some college
- 8.4%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Equipment Selection
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Service Orientation
- Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Carpenters10,459 postings
- 02Carpenters/Laborers1,917 postings
- 03Lead Carpenters1,801 postings
- 04Finish Carpenters1,684 postings
- 05Journeyman Carpenters1,102 postings
- 06Carpenters Apprentice891 postings
- 07Carpenter Foremen859 postings
- 08Commercial Carpenters839 postings
- 09Construction Carpenters725 postings
- 10Carpenters/Handymen710 postings
- 11Trim Carpenters706 postings
- 12Framing Carpenters643 postings
- 13Concrete Carpenters620 postings
- 14Carpenters/Framers597 postings
- 15Residential Carpenters573 postings
- 16Skilled Cooks569 postings
- 17Carpenters/Installers472 postings
- 18Carpenters/Painters412 postings
- 19Carpenters/Builders354 postings
- 20Maintenance Carpenters328 postings
Top employers
- 01Aerotek2,305 postings
- 02Tradesmen International694 postings
- 03Heico Companies147 postings
- 04Morton Buildings143 postings
- 05M. A. Mortenson Company124 postings
- 06Ultimate117 postings
- 07Labor Finders113 postings
- 08Brasfield & Gorrie108 postings
- 09Brown & Root Industrial Services95 postings
- 10Skillit90 postings
- 11Mcgee Services88 postings
- 12TIC - The Industrial Company87 postings
- 13B&B Concrete79 postings
- 14Skillforce79 postings
- 15Superior Skilled Trades79 postings
- 16Baker Concrete Construction75 postings
- 17Great Day Improvements75 postings
- 18Peopleready Skilled Trades73 postings
- 19Walsh Construction Co.73 postings
- 20Cedar Point72 postings
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