Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Carpenters typically learn on the job and through apprenticeships. PayThe median annual wage for carpenters was $60,580 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 62,800 openings for carpenters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for carpenters. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of carpenters with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about carpenters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Learn about training pathways and use the career details above to identify the type of apprenticeship or technical preparation to research.
Pay
The median annual wage for carpenters was $60,580 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 62,800 openings for carpenters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for carpenters. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of carpenters with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about carpenters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 62,800 openings for carpenters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for carpenters. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of carpenters with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about carpenters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.
Work Environment
Carpenters work indoors and outdoors on many types of construction projects, from installing kitchen cabinets to building highways and bridges.
How to Become a Carpenter
Carpenters typically learn on the job and through apprenticeships.
Pay
The median annual wage for carpenters was $60,580 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 62,800 openings for carpenters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for carpenters.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of carpenters with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about carpenters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Carpenters work indoors and outdoors on many types of construction projects, from installing kitchen cabinets to building highways and bridges.
How to Become a Carpenter
Carpenters typically learn on the job and through apprenticeships.
Pay
The median annual wage for carpenters was $60,580 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 62,800 openings for carpenters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for carpenters.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of carpenters with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about carpenters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for carpenters.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of carpenters with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about carpenters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about carpenters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Apprenticeship & Training
Learn about training pathways and use the career details above to identify the type of apprenticeship or technical preparation to research.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.