When we hear the word “carpenter”, our first notion is a worker comes to fix our cabinets, doors, or furniture. This was somewhat true in the older days when carpenters did basic jobs of making and repairing cabinets, doors, furniture, etc.

But today, the scope of carpentry stretches far beyond the minor household repair jobs.

Carpenters are now an indispensable asset of the construction industry as their skills and expertise are required to begin the majority of construction tasks.

That is why carpenters are now always in demand. And, if you’re interested in a career in this trade, here’s what you need to know about their role, opportunities, and the pathway to becoming one.

What does a Carpenter do?

All carpenters work with wood-based materials but have two different natures of job. Either they work in the construction sector and help build homes and commercial properties, or they make and repair wooden elements of everyday use at home.

In any case, here is a detailed list of their tasks in both roles.

• Installing fixtures and structures such as doors, cabinets or windows
• Building and repairing cabinets, tables, office furniture, and related items
• Constructing partitions
• Interpreting and reading blueprints
• Constructing and repairing shuttering for structures and frameworks such as floors, doors, walls, etc.
• Ensuring all work is in accordance with building codes
•  Determining necessary project materials and estimating the cost of projects
• Operating a variety of hand tools, including power saws, drills and chisels
• Assisting supervisors with planning, structural design and layout
• Exercising proper care and maintenance of company equipment.

Experienced carpenters are able to work individually from drawings or blueprints, while junior carpenters simply follow their supervisor’s instructions.

However, the profession as a whole demands physical toughness as their job often includes heavy lifting, climbing ladders and scaffolding, and the use of powerful tools.

In addition, workers are often exposed to the outside elements on the job site, making it a pretty challenging job.

Steps to Become a Carpenter

There are two ways to get into the carpentry profession. The first is to get in without formal training or prior experience and work your way up.

Many people take this risky and struggling path, but it has some serious drawbacks, such as beginning at a very low wage scale or getting stuck on a task because of a lack of basic knowledge. Moreover, you also don’t get the right experience and exposure to transition into a managerial or supervisory role.

Therefore, we recommend taking the second possible path, which is more defined and puts you in a better position to succeed.

So, let’s look at the step-by-step action plan for becoming a carpenter in the United States.

1. Get a High School Diploma or GED

A high school diploma or an equivalent GED certificate is the minimum qualification for becoming a carpenter, as all apprenticeship programs require.

From there on, high school students can choose to learn relevant skills and tools of the trade by taking classes in carpentry, drafting, and mathematics. These specific courses help the students prepare better for the techniques and terminology used in apprenticeships and further carpentry studies.

In addition to the above subjects, carpenters must also pay attention to English classes as they would require strong communication skills on the job to understand installation instructions and read blueprints and safety information.

Moreover, strong communication helps them give clear directions to fellow workers and subordinates.

Apart from the above, passionate aspirants go one step further and learn their trade outside the classroom. They prepare for an apprenticeship and their future career by:

• Assisting their teachers in shop classes.
• Getting involved in small carpentry projects at home and school.
• Looking for part-time work as a helper.

2. Complete an apprenticeship

Commercial and industrial employers or construction unions offer three to four-year apprenticeship programs. These programs are supervised by experienced carpenters and construction professionals.

The initial months of an apprenticeship program deal with basic knowledge related to freehand sketching, blueprint reading, mathematics, safety, and various carpentry techniques.

After completing the theory part, apprentices then move on to hands-on learning outside the classroom. They learn the layout, interior and exterior finishing, rough framing, and form building.

When the apprenticeship concludes, students receive certification as a journeyman. From there on, you have the option to upgrade your carpentry skills through further vocational training or certifications.

Moreover, apprentices also start working on getting a driver’s license as many employers prefer candidates who have one.

3. Advanced Education and Certifications

After apprenticeship completion, some carpenters jump right into accumulating experience in different construction areas and spend years perfecting their skills and adding projects to their portfolios.

Such carpenters eventually become carpentry supervisors or general construction supervisors. But, they might also pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in construction management or related subjects to prepare themselves for more senior roles.

Several institutes and industry associations offer advanced education and voluntary certification opportunities. Two of the most recognized carpentry related associations are:

• The United Brotherhood of Carpenter and Joiners of America https://www.carpenters.org/
• The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) https://www.nari.org/

NARI offers the following certificate programs:

• CR/CRS/CRA (Certified Remodeler, Certified Remodeler Specialist, Certified Remodeler Associate)
• MCR (Master Certified Remodeler)
• CKBR (Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler)
• CLC (Certified Lead Carpenter)
• CRPM (Certified Remodeling Project Manager)
• UDCP (Universal Design Certified Professional)

Career Outlook & Salary

The carpentry profession provides several employment opportunities and a great career path for workers with solid education, training, and skill. Plus, the development in the construction sector means carpenters are always in demand and will never be out of work.

Moreover, carpenters might also become independent contractors after significant industry experience and, of course, with some investment capital.

However, those working on payroll have different salary ranges depending on their sector. Here is a rough estimate of average salaries by industry sectors:

• Residential Building Construction: $47,710
• Nonresidential Building Construction: $54,220
• Building Finish Contractors: $50,370
• Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors: $49,090
• Other Specialty Trade Contractors: $55,070

As far as the growth is concerned, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of carpenters is projected to grow 2 to 3 percent from 2020 to 2030. This is slower than the prior years because of the prevalent pandemic (COVID-19) conditions; otherwise this profession has consistently grown 5% to 7% each year.

Still, this trade is full of learning and earning potential. So, if you are interested in working with wood, carpentry is worth a shot!

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