How to Research Salary Ranges and Benefits for a Carpenter

Carpenters build structures, furniture and other items made from wood. A carpenter's approximate annual salary can range from less than $18,000 to more than $49,000, depending on experience, geographic area, union affiliation, economic times and the weather. The median salary is approximately $29,000.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet Access
• Career Counseling
• Computers

1. Interview carpentry contractors to get an idea about the salary range in your area.
2. Contact your state's employment service for information about wages and opportunities.
3. Understand that training in an official apprentice program, if possible, is preferable over receiving just on-the-job training. In a program, you also receive classroom instruction, which will make you a better candidate for landing higher-paying jobs.
4. Expect to work hard to advance to supervisory positions if you want to have a well-paid career.
5. Consider joining the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Union benefits and salaries are generally better than working for a non-union shop. But consider that you will have to pay union dues and that the competition to join the union may be tough.
6. Search the Internet for further information about the field. A major search engine like Google or Yahoo! is a good place to start.

Tips & Warnings

• Gain skills in various types of carpentry work so that you will have the best opportunity for full-time employment.
• Be aware that bad weather and economic downturns can greatly reduce a carpenter's salary, especially a structural carpenter working outdoors. You might have to relocate to find work.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
• University of Phoenix, degree Programs to Fit Your Life.