CACarpenter
CA
Career

Carpenter

By the numbers
Typical pay
$60,580 / yr
Education to start
High school diploma or equivalent
Future demand
+4.5% by 2034
People in this job
670K
Figures shown for ·closest of 2 O*NET occupations
The work
A day, hour by hour
06:30
Toolbox talk

Review the plan with the crew. Check ladders, cords, and saw guards.

07:00
Plans vs. site

Blueprint says one thing, the wall says another. Call it in.

07:45
Demo

Pry off rotted siding. Probe the wood to see how deep damage runs.

09:30
Framing

Check if the wall is square, shim it, then measure twice and cut.

12:00
Load-bearing check

Decide whether this wall can come out or is holding up the roof.

13:00
Doors & windows

Set a new door frame level and plumb, then hang the door.

14:30
Trim work

Cope joints, nail baseboard, and fill gaps a homeowner would notice.

15:30
Cleanup

Sweep sawdust, haul scrap, and wipe down and put away saws.

Things you do
  • Frame walls, floors, and roofs from stacks of raw lumber.
  • Read blueprints and work out exactly what to build.
  • Measure twice, then cut and shape wood to fit precisely.
  • Build and install stairs, doors, windows, and cabinets.
  • Fit trim and flooring so every seam looks clean.
Decisions you’ll make
  • Is this wall actually square, or do I need to shim it before I cut?
  • The blueprint says one thing, but the site says another. Do I follow the plans or call it in?
  • Is this wood rotted just here, or is the damage hiding deeper in the wall?
  • Can I pull out this wall, or is it holding up the house?
  • Is this gap good enough, or will the homeowner notice it every day?
Education Pathways · how you get there
8 in 100 went the college route · 92 in 100 found another way in None, typically

People usually reach this work through experience rather than a college program.

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Education mapped from O*NET:
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