3 answers
Dax
Student
Frankfort, Kentucky
1
Question
Asked
289 views
How can I use carpentry in the future as a profession?
pay,benefits.
Login to comment
3 answers
Jezlea Ortega
Tech Architecture
74
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jezlea’s Answer
Carpentry is one of those trades that gets underestimated constantly but offers a genuinely strong and stable career path with real earning potential, especially as skilled tradespeople become increasingly rare and demand continues to outpace supply.
On the pay side, entry level carpenters typically start somewhere between $18 and $25 per hour depending on location and specialty, which translates to roughly $37,000 to $52,000 annually. As you gain experience and develop specialized skills that number climbs significantly. Experienced carpenters average around $60,000 to $75,000 per year, and those who specialize in areas like finish carpentry, cabinetmaking, or historic restoration can earn well into six figures. Union carpenters often earn at the higher end of those ranges with more structured pay scales and guaranteed increases over time.
The benefits picture varies depending on whether you work independently, for a contractor, or through a union. Union carpentry in particular offers some of the strongest benefits packages in the trades: health insurance, pension plans, paid time off, and apprenticeship training that pays you while you learn. Non-union positions vary widely but established contractors increasingly offer competitive benefits to attract and retain skilled workers in a tight labor market.
On the pay side, entry level carpenters typically start somewhere between $18 and $25 per hour depending on location and specialty, which translates to roughly $37,000 to $52,000 annually. As you gain experience and develop specialized skills that number climbs significantly. Experienced carpenters average around $60,000 to $75,000 per year, and those who specialize in areas like finish carpentry, cabinetmaking, or historic restoration can earn well into six figures. Union carpenters often earn at the higher end of those ranges with more structured pay scales and guaranteed increases over time.
The benefits picture varies depending on whether you work independently, for a contractor, or through a union. Union carpentry in particular offers some of the strongest benefits packages in the trades: health insurance, pension plans, paid time off, and apprenticeship training that pays you while you learn. Non-union positions vary widely but established contractors increasingly offer competitive benefits to attract and retain skilled workers in a tight labor market.
Anna Rodriguez
2
Answers
Updated
Anna’s Answer
Hello! I think carpentry can be a great career, especially if you don’t mind physical labor, enjoy working with your hands, and are creative. I would recommend looking into places that offer carpentry apprenticeships or even starting out as a helper or assistant for a carpenter. This would give you a chance to get some hands-on experience and really see what the job is like before deciding if it’s something you want to pursue as a career.
When I was in high school, I thought I wanted to work at a hair salon. Someone suggested that I apply at a salon and shadow someone so I could actually see what the job was like. Let me tell you, it was NOT what I thought or expected! I was honestly so happy that I had the chance to experience it before investing time and money into beauty school because I realized it wasn’t something I wanted to do.
That’s why I think it’s so important to try things out, shadow someone, or get some hands-on experience before committing to a career. You might discover that you really love carpentry, or you might find out that it’s not what you expectedand that’s okay too! The important thing is that you’re learning what you like and what you don’t like.
When I was in high school, I thought I wanted to work at a hair salon. Someone suggested that I apply at a salon and shadow someone so I could actually see what the job was like. Let me tell you, it was NOT what I thought or expected! I was honestly so happy that I had the chance to experience it before investing time and money into beauty school because I realized it wasn’t something I wanted to do.
That’s why I think it’s so important to try things out, shadow someone, or get some hands-on experience before committing to a career. You might discover that you really love carpentry, or you might find out that it’s not what you expectedand that’s okay too! The important thing is that you’re learning what you like and what you don’t like.
TRAVIS UPCHURCH
Federal Contract Admin
339
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
Yes, that is an excellent career field if you like working with your hands. Look up the union scale for the millwright union and that will give you an idea of how much they earn.