Carpentry Classes Near Me

A career in carpentry can be both versatile and rewarding, offering the opportunity for hands-on work on a variety of different types of projects. U.S. News & World Report ranks the job of Carpenter highly on several of its lists, including at #6 in Best Construction Jobs, and #22 in Highest-Paying Jobs Without a Degree. On its website page, “Why Consider a Career in Carpentry,” the Pennsylvania Builders Association insists, “In an ever-evolving job market, carpentry remains a stable and in-demand profession. With the construction industry continually growing, there is a consistent need for skilled carpenters.”

Types of Carpentry Jobs

Carpenters build things out of wood, but there are a number of different ways to specialize within this field:

• Rough Carpenter:  Builds rough wooden structures such as the frame of a building or scaffolding.
• Finish Carpenter:  Creates the structures that go around a frame, like trim, doors, and windows. 
• Trim Carpenter: Builds decorative trim for buildings.
• Cabinet Maker: Builds cabinetry and other furniture.
• Roofing Carpenter: Specializes in building the rafters, beams, and other elements that support roofs.
• Residential Carpenter: Works on carpentry for residential structures.
• Commercial Carpenter: Specializes in carpentry for commercial construction.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS), 24% of Carpenters work in residential building construction, 24% are self-employed, 13% do finish carpentry, 13% do nonresidential building construction, and 10% work on the foundation, structure, and exterior of buildings.

Best Places for Carpentry Jobs

The demand for Carpenters is highest in areas with a lot of construction activity, which is often large metropolitan areas. According to the BLS, more than 37,000 Carpenters work in the New York City metropolitan area, which is the most of all U.S. cities. Los Angeles is next, employing more than 31,000 Carpenters. The Riverside metropolitan area, which is located right next to Los Angeles, employs an additional 15,000. After New York and the Los Angeles-Riverside areas, the next largest employers of Carpenters are Chicago, which employs about 19,000, and Seattle, with 15,000. When it comes to overall state employment, California employs the most Carpenters, followed by New York, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

According to an IBIS World report, “Carpenters in the US - Market Research Report (2015-2030),” the highest demand for Carpenters is in California. It explains, “Factors like a large population, diverse climatic conditions and frequent natural disasters necessitate a constant need for upkeep.” It reports that the biggest carpentry companies in the United States are Marvin, Ply Gem Holdings, and Carpenter Contractors of America.

How Much Does a Carpenter Earn?

The the BLS finds that the average salary for a Carpenter in the United States is $59,000. However, salaries vary significantly depending on where you live and what type of carpentry you do. According to U.S. News & World Report, the average wage for a Carpenter in Hawaii is $83,000. It finds that New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, and Illinois also pay well, with salaries ranging from $74,000 to $79,000.

National averages:

• Rough Carpenter: $54,000, ZipRecruiter
• Finish Carpenter: $60,000, Salary.com
• Trim Carpenter: $67,000, Glassdoor
• Cabinet Maker: $58,000, Glassdoor
• Residential Carpenter: $56,000, ZipRecruiter
• Commercial Carpenter: $52,000, ZipRecruiter

Unique Aspects of Carpentry Jobs

Because this is a physical occupation, you have a higher chance of getting hurt. the BLS explains, “Carpenters sometimes get injured on the job, such as from strains caused by overexertion due to lifting and moving materials. Other common injuries result from falls, slips, trips, and contact with objects or equipment.” It says that because of the risk of injury, protective gear, like boots, eyewear, and hats, is common.

Another thing to know if you’re thinking about working in carpentry is that some kind of apprenticeship is often required. This means working under a more experienced Carpenter, typically for a number of years.

Carpentry Job Outlook

Research reveals that Carpentry is likely to be a stable occupation in the future. According to the BLS, between 2023 and 2033, job growth for Carpenters will be 4%, which is about average. This equates to more than 76,000 job openings each year. The agency explains the factors likely to drive future job growth. It says, “Population growth should result in more new-home construction—one of the largest segments employing carpenters, which will create some jobs for carpenters. Construction of factories and other nonresidential buildings is also projected to result in some new jobs over the decade.” 

In fact, some research shows that the United States is actually experiencing a shortage of Carpenters as part of a general trend where fewer people are opting to go into skilled trades. For instance, according to the Home Builders Institute (HBI) Construction Labor Market Report, Spring 2023, more than 80 percent of those builders and remodelers surveyed said that they were encountering a labor shortage for Carpenters. That included Rough Carpenters, Finished Carpenters, and framing crews.