Carpenter

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Work Tasks

• Use wood to build homes and other structures
• Study blueprints and plans
• Put up frameworks, doors, windows, ceilings, and other parts of a house
• Measure, mark, and put building materials together
• May be self-employed and work both indoors and outdoors
• Use blueprints, sketches, wood, drywall, nails, screws, saws, drills, measuring tools, and other hand and power tools

Salary, Size & Growth

• $43,500 average per year ($21.00 per hour)
• A large occupation (620,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.3% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: A high school diploma, 18 years of age or older, and an apprenticeship in carpentry
• Skills/Courses: courses in carpentry, shop, mechanical drawing, and applied math
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available and union membership or a license may be necessary for some projects.