Carpenters
Carpenters construct, install, and repair wooden structures and fixtures in buildings. This includes frameworks, joists, rafters, staircases, cabinets, flooring, and drywall. They work on residential homes, commercial buildings, and construction sites, using hand tools and power equipment to shape and assemble materials according to specifications.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against carpenters and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A carpenter's week typically involves measuring and cutting wood or other materials, framing walls, installing doors and windows, and fitting cabinets or flooring. Work may include reading blueprints, preparing job sites, and inspecting finished work for quality. Tasks vary by project phase—some days involve framing new structures, other days finishing details like trim or hardware installation.
Who this work suits
Holland code RCA. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy hands-on work with tangible results and prefer following established procedures and standards. You're detail-oriented and practical, comfortable using tools and working from plans, and you value solving real problems by building or fixing things with your own hands.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Electrical Utility Carpenter · Bonneville Power Administration · Multiple Locations · $67.54–$67.54
- Carpenter · Veterans Health Administration · Marion, Illinois · $32.19–$37.61
- Carpenter (Seasonal) · National Park Service · Wellfleet, Massachusetts · $35.4–$41.31
- Carpenter · Veterans Health Administration · Durham, North Carolina · $29.98–$33.81
- Carpenter · Veterans Health Administration · Indianapolis, Indiana · $32.54–$37.98
- Carpenter · Veterans Health Administration · Lake City, Florida · $27.97–$32.64
- Carpenter · Veterans Health Administration · Cleveland, Ohio · $32.89–$38.33
- Carpenter/Locksmith · U.S. Coast Guard · New London, Connecticut · $29.22–$34.25
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,380 | $85,280 | $110,980 | 4,810 |
| Illinois | $56,160 | $79,000 | $106,950 | 19,570 |
| California | $59,740 | $75,920 | $95,830 | 100,750 |
| Massachusetts | $60,770 | $75,200 | $97,520 | 18,540 |
| Washington | $60,630 | $74,190 | $92,660 | 26,960 |
| Alaska | $59,770 | $73,860 | $94,150 | 2,560 |
| New York | $57,330 | $72,330 | $89,820 | 40,630 |
| Minnesota | $55,240 | $64,930 | $84,410 | 14,930 |
| Connecticut | $57,540 | $64,060 | $80,820 | 5,160 |
| New Jersey | $51,220 | $64,010 | $80,430 | 14,230 |
| Maryland | $52,220 | $62,960 | $76,810 | 9,770 |
| Indiana | $49,940 | $62,870 | $76,850 | 15,240 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Industrial Carpenter — National Center for Construction Education and Research
- Industrial Carpenter — National Center for Construction Education and Research
- Commercial Carpenter — National Center for Construction Education and Research
- Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC) — National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
and 8 more
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against carpenters and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 47-2031.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.