Labor Guide for Carpenters

There are 1.3 million carpenters employed in the U.S.

There were approximately 1.3 million carpenters employed in the U.S in 2010, according to the Department of Labor. Carpenters are involved in a range of woodworking construction, from installing kitchen cabinets to remodeling homes.

Training

To become a qualified carpenter, you'll spend about three to four years of training in a formal apprenticeship, at a technical college or vocational school, or on the job. Carpentry training involves studying basic structural design, and learning how to complete common woodworking tasks, such as layout, rough framing and finishing. Other aspects of training include first aid, blueprint reading, sketching and basic mathematics.

Work Environment

The majority of carpenters work 40 hours a week and about seven percent are employed on a part-time basis, according to the Department of Labor. Carpentry is predominantly a physical occupation, with a lot of time spent standing up, climbing, bending and kneeling. The incidence of injury among carpenters is high, due to the sharp tools and power equipment needed to perform their job.

Wages

Carpenters can expect to earn, on average, $20.98 per hour and $43,640 per year, according to 2009 wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest-paying industries for carpenters are nonresidential building construction, building-finishing contracting and residential building construction.

Labor Unions

As of 2010, 19 percent of carpenters are members of trade unions. Popular trade unions include the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the Joiners of America.

References

• DoL: Carpenters
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages May 2009