What do they do?

Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.

Also known as:

Bridge Carpenter, Cabinet Maker, Carpenter, Concrete Carpenter, Construction Carpenter, Form Carpenter, Framer, Maintenance Carpenter, Rough Carpenter, Scaffold Builder

Typical Wages

Projected Growth Rate

Employment of Carpenters is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.

Projected Employment in OH

No Data Available
  • 0.7%

    Change

    Ranks #57 in job growth rate
    1,870

    Job Openings

    Ranks #22 in net job growth

Colleges with the most graduates that become Carpenters

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Education Level

Percent of workers in this field with these degrees:

  • High school diploma equivalent  (42%)
  • Less than high school diploma  (25%)
  • Some college, no degree  (19%)
  • Bachelor's degree  (6%)
  • Associate's degree  (6%)
  • Master's degree  (1%)
  • Doctorate or Professional Degree  (<1%)

Typical College Majors

Most Popular Majors that prepare Carpenters

Select Type of Degree:

  • #1
    • Degrees Granted

      48
    • Female Students

      5
    • Male Students

      43
    • Median Starting Salary

      $55,200

People in this career often have these skills:

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

People in this career often know a lot about:

  • Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

People in this career often have talent in:

  • Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.

People in this career often do these activities:

  • Clean work sites.
  • Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
  • Mark reference points on construction materials.
  • Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
  • Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
  • Cut wood components for installation.
  • Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
  • Install carpet or flooring.
  • Build construction forms or molds.
  • Coordinate construction project activities.
  • Install wooden structural components.
  • Inspect work sites to determine condition or necessary repairs.
  • Apply decorative or textured finishes or coverings.
  • Install building fixtures.
  • Install doors or windows.
  • Prepare operational reports.
  • Select construction materials.
  • Order construction or extraction materials or equipment.
  • Remove worn, damaged or outdated materials from work areas.
  • Prepare hazardous waste for processing or disposal.
  • Apply material to fill gaps in surfaces.
  • Record operational or environmental data.
  • Position construction forms or molds.
  • Estimate construction project costs.
  • Drill holes in construction materials.
  • Install safety or support equipment.
  • Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities.
  • Weld metal components.
  • Dig holes or trenches.
  • Position safety or support equipment.
  • Direct construction or extraction personnel.
  • Install trim or paneling.
  • Assemble products or production equipment.

This page includes data from:

O*NET OnLine Career data: O*NET 28.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Logo Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

careeronestop logo Videos: CareerOneStop, USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development

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