How to Become a Carpenter?

Are you thinking of becoming a Carpenter or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Carpenter, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Carpenter job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.

Steps to Become a Carpenter

If you're considering starting your Carpenter career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Carpenter and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Carpenter career.
Contents
1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Carpenter career path, a Other in Other or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Carpenter internship may be required to earn your Other and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.

What skills do you need to be a Carpenter?

  • Strong WORK Ethic
  • Professionalism
  • Well Organized
  • Written Communication
  • Finish Carpentry
  • Frameworks
  • OSHA 10
  • Sanding
Based on resume data from Glassdoor users who reported working as a Carpenter in the United States.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Carpenter, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Carpenter field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Carpenter specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Carpenter

Once you've acquired a Other in Other or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Carpenter. In general, you can become a Carpenter after completing your 2 year Other in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Carpenter role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified in lead standard.
4

Advance in Your Carpenter Career

Following entry-level, there are several Carpenter career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Carpenter to progress to the iii carpenter position. Each advanced Carpenter position requires approximately 8 years of experience at each level to advance in your Carpenter career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Carpenter career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Carpenter Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Carpenter career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a in Other can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their typically make $64,054 compared to $31,709 for those without that type of degree.

Carpenter Career Path

Carpenter

8+Years of Experience
$42K - $60K /yrMost Likely Range
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Senior Carpenter

No Years of Experience Reports
$54K - $85K /yrMost Likely Range
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Carpenter IV

No Years of Experience Reports
$70K - $100K /yrMost Likely Range
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Total Pay Trajectory

Carpenter Career Path

Carpenter I
Carpenter
Carpentry Associate Manager
Senior Carpenter
Carpenter Manager
Carpenter IV
Carpenter V
$30K
$52K
$74K
$96K
$140K
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Related Careers in the Skilled Labor & Manufacturing Industry

Interested in other Skilled Labor & Manufacturing careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Carpenter skills. Discover some of the most common Carpenter career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Construction Project Manager
No skills overlap
18% transitioned to Construction Project Manager