Carpenters

At a Glance

Median Salary
$46,456
Local Jobs
1,839
Entry-Level Education
High School

Occupation Profile

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. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.

By The Numbers

Median Annual Earnings

$46,456

Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation

Local Jobs

1,839

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

High School

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

Daily Tasks

  • 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.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for Carpenters?

Hard Skills

Balancing (Ledger/Billing)
Carpentry
Construction
Fall Protection
Framer
Hand Saw
Hand Tools
Painting
Power Tool Operation
Sawing

Soft Skills

Arithmetic
Communications
Customer Service
Detail Oriented
Lifting Ability
Loading And Unloading
Management
Planning
Scheduling
Valid Driver's License

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Education Programs

Learn More About

Carpenters

Visit Career Coach for in-depth information and available training programs for this job.

carpenters

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