To become a carpenter in the US, you typically need a high school diploma and then learn the trade on the job or through an apprenticeship. Unions and contractor associations run apprenticeships, and each year combines a set number of hours of technical training with paid on-the-job training.
You don't need a degree, and you get paid while you learn. The part people miss is how many carpenters end up working for themselves.
All the figures here come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for carpenters, read on 26 October 2026.
Carpenter pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $60,580 a year, $29.12 an hour |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $40,410 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $99,910 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 889,700 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 4%, as fast as average |
| Openings each year | About 62,800 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey. Apprentices start on less than fully trained carpenters and get more as they gain experience.
The route in, step by step
- Finish high school or an equivalent. Maths and mechanical drawing are the courses BLS singles out as useful.
- Decide between learning on the job and a formal apprenticeship. Some carpenters start as construction laborers or helpers, doing similar tasks, before moving up.
- Apply for an apprenticeship with a union or contractor association. Requirements differ by program and region.
- Learn the basics: blueprint reading, maths, building code requirements, and safety and first aid. Programs may add concrete forms, rigging, welding and scaffold building.
- Get a driver's license if you don't have one. BLS says carpenters may need one to travel between jobsites.
Some vocational-technical schools also offer associate's degrees in carpentry, but they aren't required.
The fact people don't expect: a quarter work for themselves
Self-employed workers are the biggest single group of carpenters, at 25% of the 889,700 jobs. Residential building construction comes next at 23 in every 100.
| Employer type | Share of carpenter jobs, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 25 in every 100 |
| Residential building construction | 23 in every 100 |
| Building finishing contractors | 13 in every 100 |
| Nonresidential building construction | 12 in every 100 |
| Foundation, structure and building exterior contractors | 10 in every 100 |
So if you're thinking long term, the trade gives you a realistic path to running your own business. BLS also lists lead carpenter, first-line supervisor, independent contractor and general construction supervisor as routes up.
Where the pay is highest
| Industry | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Nonresidential building construction | $63,780 |
| Building finishing contractors | $60,880 |
| Residential building construction | $60,600 |
| Foundation, structure and building exterior contractors | $58,790 |
The gap between industries is small: nonresidential construction paid a median of $63,780 against $60,600 for residential work, as of October 2026. That means you can choose the kind of work you enjoy without giving up much pay.
What the job is really like
- Working indoors and outdoors, from installing kitchen cabinets to building highways and bridges.
- Working in cramped spaces and switching often between lifting, standing and kneeling.
- Outdoor work in all weather, which can push project schedules around.
- Injury risks from overexertion, falls, slips and trips, so you'll wear boots, hardhats, eye protection and reflective vests.
Most carpenters work full time, and that can include evenings and weekends when a client's deadline is close.
If you're weighing up trades, our guide to skilled blue-collar jobs for women compares several of them, and this piece on trade school as a route into work explains why skills training can beat a degree for some people.
Is carpentry a good trade to get into now?
BLS projects 4% growth from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average. New-home construction and factory and other nonresidential building should create some jobs. BLS also notes a drag on demand: modular and prefabricated components are becoming more popular, and they need less carpentry on site.
Even so, about 62,800 openings are expected every year, mostly from carpenters retiring or changing jobs, so there's steady demand for people coming in.
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Skills worth building before you apply
Apprenticeship places can be competitive, so it helps to arrive with more than enthusiasm. BLS points to maths and mechanical drawing as useful school subjects, and blueprint reading, building codes and safety are core parts of every program. You can get ahead on all three before you start.
- Practise measuring and cutting accurately, since simple measuring and cutting tasks are where most new carpenters begin.
- Learn to read a basic blueprint, because reading plans is the step between simple tasks and building whole structures.
- Get comfortable with physical work: lifting, kneeling and standing for long stretches are part of every day.
- Take a first aid course, as safety and first aid are part of the apprenticeship syllabus anyway.
If you can't get straight into an apprenticeship, working as a construction laborer or helper is a recognised way in. BLS says the tasks are similar, so you'll be learning the trade while you wait for a place.
My verdict
Carpentry is one of the most accessible trades: a high school diploma, paid training and no degree. The median of $60,580 is above the all-jobs median, and the pay doesn't swing much between residential and commercial work. If you want the best long-term upside, take blueprint reading and building codes seriously during your apprenticeship, because those are the skills that lead to lead carpenter and supervisor roles, or to working for yourself like a quarter of carpenters already do.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a carpenter?
It depends on the program. Apprenticeships set a number of hours of technical training and paid on-the-job training for each year, and requirements differ by program and region.
Do you need a degree to be a carpenter?
No. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, and you learn on the job or through an apprenticeship.
How much do carpenters make?
BLS reports a median of $60,580 a year for carpenters in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Who runs carpentry apprenticeships?
Several groups run them, including unions and contractor associations.
Can carpenters work for themselves?
Yes. Self-employed workers make up 25% of carpenter jobs, the largest single group, according to BLS.
Do carpenters need a license?
BLS says carpenters may need a driver's license to travel to jobsites, and optional certifications by specialty can open up more work.
