Trade hub
Carpenter
Frame, finish and build the structures and interiors of residential and commercial buildings.
- Median pay
- $56,350/yr
- Entry path
- 3–4 years
- Job outlook
- +4%
What carpenters do
Carpentry spans rough framing, formwork, interior finish, cabinetry and specialty millwork. It is the broadest of the construction trades and the most common entry point for people who want to eventually run their own remodeling business. Most states do not license carpenters directly, but they do license the general contractor who signs the permit.
- Median annual pay
- $56,350
- $27.09 per hour
- Typical range
- $37,040–$92,700
- 10th to 90th percentile
- Projected growth
- +4%
- 2023–2033 projections
- Annual openings
- 79,500
- Growth plus replacement
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2023 national wage estimates. Local pay varies substantially with union scale, prevailing wage projects and regional demand. Estimate pay for your area.
The work itself
A typical day
- Lay out walls, floors and roofs from plans
- Cut and assemble framing to load and code requirements
- Install doors, trim, casework and hardware
- Build stairs and calculate rise and run
- Estimate material and generate cut lists
Where you work
- Residential new construction and remodels
- Commercial interior build-outs
- Shops and millwork facilities
- Outdoors in all weather during framing
Physical demands
Constant lifting, climbing and repetitive motion. Framing is weather-exposed and hard on the body; finish work is lighter but demands precision and patience.
The honest tradeoffs
What works in your favor
- Widest range of work of any construction trade
- Fastest route into self-employed remodeling
- Visible, tangible results at the end of each day
- Low licensing barrier to start working
What to go in knowing
- More cyclical than the licensed mechanical trades
- Lower ceiling than electrical or plumbing without a contractor license
- Weather exposure and seasonal slowdowns
- Injury rate is among the highest in construction
Getting in
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Training route
- 3–4 year apprenticeship, or on-the-job progression from laborer
- Apprenticeship length
- 3–4 years
- Licensing
- Generally unlicensed as a trade. A general contractor license is required in most states to contract work directly.
Where the trade splits
Pay and working conditions diverge sharply by specialization. These are the paths most carpenters end up choosing between.
- Rough framing
- Concrete formwork
- Finish and trim carpentry
- Cabinetmaking and millwork
- Stair building
- Commercial interior systems
- Timber framing
- Restoration carpentry
Credentials that matter
- NCCER Carpentry CertificationNCCER
- OSHA 30-Hour ConstructionOSHA-authorized trainer
- EPA Lead-Safe Renovator (RRP)EPA-accredited trainer
- General Contractor LicenseState contractor licensing board
Carpenter field tools
The calculators this trade uses on the job. Everything runs in the browser.
- CalculatorBoard FeetConvert lumber dimensions to board feet and price a material order.
- CalculatorConcreteCalculate cubic yards for slabs, footings, columns and stairs, with waste allowance.
- CalculatorFraming MaterialCount studs, plates, headers and sheathing for a wall from length, height and spacing.
- CalculatorDrywallCount sheets, screws, joint compound and tape for a room, minus openings.
- CalculatorPaintCalculate gallons of paint and primer for walls, ceilings and trim by coat.
- CalculatorStairsCalculate rise, run, stringer length and headroom to code from total rise.
- CalculatorDeck MaterialEstimate joists, beams, decking, fasteners and footings for a deck frame.
- CalculatorTile / FlooringCalculate tile, flooring, underlayment, thinset and grout for a room with waste.
- CalculatorJob PricingBuild a defensible price from labor, materials, overhead and your target profit margin.
- CalculatorShop RateDetermine the shop rate you must charge per billable hour to cover overhead and hit your income target.
- CalculatorJob ProfitabilityCompare quoted price against actual hours and material to see what a job really earned.
- CalculatorBreak-EvenFind the revenue and billable hours required to cover fixed and variable costs.
- CalculatorMarkup / MarginConvert between markup and gross margin so you stop pricing below your intended profit.
- PlannerStarter Tool KitBuild a first-year tool list for your trade and see what it costs at three quality tiers.
- ComparisonRent vs. BuyCompare renting against buying a tool across the number of times you will actually use it.
- CalculatorRoofing SquaresCalculate roofing squares, shingle bundles, and ridge cap from footprint and pitch.
- CalculatorFence MaterialCalculate posts, rails, pickets, and concrete for a wood privacy or picket fence.
- CalculatorEstimated TaxFigure quarterly estimated tax for 1099 contractors — federal income tax, self-employment tax, and what to set aside from each check.
- CalculatorEffective RateSee what you actually earn per hour worked — field time, admin, sales, and drive time included.
- CalculatorEmployee vs. SubCompare the true loaded cost of a W-2 employee against a 1099 subcontractor at your actual utilization.
- CalculatorVehicle CostCalculate the true hourly and per-mile cost of your work truck — payment, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation.
- CalculatorEquipment ROIDecide whether to buy or rent trade equipment — payback period, cost per use, and annual return on investment.
- CalculatorLead ValueFind what a lead is worth, your max affordable cost per lead, and whether your marketing spend actually pays.
- CalculatorPrice IncreaseModel what happens to revenue and profit when you raise prices — and how many customers you can afford to lose.
- CalculatorCash RunwaySee how many months of cash you have at current burn — and what revenue change keeps you solvent.
- CalculatorCarpenter RateCalculate the hourly rate your carpentry or remodeling business needs — with finish-carpenter defaults and U.S. market benchmarks.
- CalculatorGC PricingCalculate GC management fees, markup on subcontractor costs, and total project pricing — with contractor-specific defaults and U.S. benchmarks.
- CalculatorLabor Burden CalculatorWage to true employer cost per hour — taxes, workers comp, benefits, vehicle, and non-billable time.
For homeowners: when you need a carpenter
- Sagging floors, sticking doors or structural movement
- Rot in framing, decks, trim or sills
- Removing a wall that may be load-bearing
- Built-ins, custom cabinetry and stair work
Diagnose it first
- DiagnoseGarage Door Won't CloseA garage door that refuses to close or reverses immediately — usually a safety sensor or track issue, not a motor failure.
- DiagnoseWindow Condensation Between PanesFog between glass panes means sealed unit failure — the low-E argon layer is compromised.
- DiagnoseFoundation Crack GrowingA crack that widens over months may be settlement, hydrostatic pressure, or structural movement — measure and monitor.
- DiagnoseFloor SaggingSagging floors point to joist damage, undersized spans, or foundation movement.
- DiagnoseWall Crack Above DoorCracks above doors and windows often track settling or lintel movement — pattern tells severity.
- DiagnoseDoor StickingDoors that stick seasonally or suddenly hint at humidity, hinge wear, or foundation shift.
- DiagnoseDeck Feels SpringyA bouncy deck means undersized joists, rotted ledger, or loose connections — safety critical.
What it should cost
- Cost guideFoundation Repair cost$2,000–$40,000 per project
- Cost guideWindow Replacement cost$450–$2,500 per window installed
- Cost guideSiding Replacement cost$8,000–$35,000 per home, 2,000 sq ft wall area
- Cost guideFence Installation cost$1,500–$8,000 per project, ~150 linear feet
- Cost guideDeck Building cost$5,000–$25,000 per deck, ~300 sq ft
- Cost guideTree Removal cost$200–$2,500 per tree
- Cost guideKitchen Remodel cost$15,000–$80,000 per kitchen
- Cost guideFlooring Installation cost$2,000–$12,000 per project, ~500 sq ft
- Cost guideDrywall Repair cost$200–$1,500 per repair area
- Cost guideInterior Painting cost$1,500–$8,000 per project, ~2,000 sq ft home
- Cost guideInsulation Installation cost$1,500–$7,000 per project
- Cost guideGarage Door Replacement cost$800–$3,500 per door installed
- Cost guidePressure Washing cost$200–$1,200 per home exterior
- Cost guideStucco Repair cost$500–$6,500 per repair area
- Cost guideMasonry Repointing cost$800–$9,000 per wall area
- Cost guideDeck Repair cost$500–$6,500 per project
- Cost guideDeck Staining cost$400–$3,200 per deck, ~300 sq ft
- Cost guideFence Repair cost$200–$3,200 per project
- Cost guidePergola Build cost$2,500–$15,000 per structure
- Cost guideExterior Painting cost$2,500–$14,000 per home, ~2,000 sq ft
- Cost guideSod Installation cost$900–$6,500 per lawn area
- Cost guideLandscape Grading cost$1,200–$11,000 per project
- Cost guideTree Trimming cost$250–$3,200 per tree
- Cost guideStump Grinding cost$150–$950 per stump
- Cost guideDrywall Installation cost$900–$8,500 per room or area
- Cost guidePopcorn Ceiling Removal cost$700–$4,800 per home area
- Cost guideTrim Installation cost$600–$6,500 per project
- Cost guideInterior Door Replacement cost$175–$850 per door installed
- Cost guideExterior Door Replacement cost$600–$4,200 per door installed
- Cost guideTexture Repair cost$200–$1,600 per repair area
- Cost guideStaircase Repair cost$900–$9,000 per staircase
- Cost guideCloset Build-Out cost$1,200–$11,000 per closet system
- Cost guideCabinet Installation cost$2,200–$16,000 per kitchen
- Cost guideCabinet Refacing cost$4,500–$19,000 per kitchen
- Cost guideCountertop Installation cost$2,200–$12,500 per kitchen run
- Cost guideBacksplash Installation cost$900–$4,200 per kitchen
- Cost guideAppliance Installation cost$150–$850 per appliance
- Cost guideTile Floor Installation cost$1,600–$13,000 per tiled area
- Cost guideHardwood Refinishing cost$1,600–$8,500 per refinished area
- Cost guideCarpet Installation cost$900–$6,500 per carpeted area
- Cost guideLVP Installation cost$1,600–$9,000 per floored area
- Cost guideAttic Insulation cost$1,600–$7,500 per attic
- Cost guideBasement Egress Window cost$3,500–$13,000 per egress opening
- Cost guideMold Remediation cost$1,600–$16,000 per affected area
- Cost guideFire Damage Restoration cost$6,000–$52,000 per loss event
- Cost guideAsbestos Abatement cost$2,500–$32,000 per abatement area
- Cost guideLead Paint Remediation cost$9,000–$52,000 per home area
Decide what to do
- CalculatorBoard FeetConvert lumber dimensions to board feet and price a material order.
- CalculatorConcreteCalculate cubic yards for slabs, footings, columns and stairs, with waste allowance.
- CalculatorFraming MaterialCount studs, plates, headers and sheathing for a wall from length, height and spacing.
- CalculatorDrywallCount sheets, screws, joint compound and tape for a room, minus openings.
- CalculatorPaintCalculate gallons of paint and primer for walls, ceilings and trim by coat.
- CalculatorStairsCalculate rise, run, stringer length and headroom to code from total rise.
- CalculatorDeck MaterialEstimate joists, beams, decking, fasteners and footings for a deck frame.
- CalculatorTile / FlooringCalculate tile, flooring, underlayment, thinset and grout for a room with waste.
- EstimatorRepair CostEstimate what a common home repair should cost in your area before you call anyone.
- ComparisonDIY vs. ProWeigh cost, time, tools, permits, risk and consequences before you take on a job yourself.
- DiagnosticQuote AnalyzerBreak down a contractor's quote and see whether the price and the terms are reasonable.
- EstimatorRenovation CostEstimate a kitchen, bath, basement or addition project by scope, finish level and region.
- ComparisonRent vs. BuyCompare renting against buying a tool across the number of times you will actually use it.
- ChecklistHiring ChecklistWork through license, insurance, contract and payment checks before you sign anything.
- ComparisonQuote ComparisonCompare two to four contractor bids side by side — price, terms, and what the low bid is probably missing.
- CalculatorRenovation ROIEstimate return on investment by project type — kitchen, bath, roof, siding, and more.
- EstimatorRoom RenovationEstimate renovation cost for a single room — kitchen, bath, bedroom, basement, or office.
- CalculatorMulchCalculate how much mulch you need in cubic yards and bags for any bed size and depth.
- CalculatorTopsoilCalculate cubic yards of topsoil for lawns, garden beds, and raised beds.
- CalculatorGravelCalculate cubic yards and tons of gravel for driveways, patios, walkways, and drainage.
- CalculatorSodCalculate how many sod rolls or pallets you need for a new lawn, with waste allowance.
- CalculatorRoofing SquaresCalculate roofing squares, shingle bundles, and ridge cap from footprint and pitch.
- CalculatorFence MaterialCalculate posts, rails, pickets, and concrete for a wood privacy or picket fence.
- CalculatorCarpenter RateCalculate the hourly rate your carpentry or remodeling business needs — with finish-carpenter defaults and U.S. market benchmarks.
- CalculatorGC PricingCalculate GC management fees, markup on subcontractor costs, and total project pricing — with contractor-specific defaults and U.S. benchmarks.
- ChecklistQuote CheckerPaste or enter contractor quote line items to flag missing scope, exclusions, deposit caps, and vague allowances.
- MatcherWhich Trade?Match your home symptom or repair job to the right trade contractor, adjacent confused trades, and symptom diagnostic guides.
- DiagnosticRepair UrgencyAssess home repair urgency — emergency shutoff, same day, this week, or can wait — with safety stop steps.
- CalculatorCost Per Sq FtConvert total project cost and square footage to $/sq ft — or work backward from a target $/sq ft — with benchmark bands by project type.
- ComparisonLabor / MaterialsSee the typical labor and materials split for your job type — then compare a contractor quote to spot an unusual mix.
- EstimatorProject TimelineEstimate project duration in weeks — active construction, lead-time items, and inspection waits — by scope type.
- CalculatorBudget AllocatorSplit a total remodel budget into line items by room type — and see which categories most often overrun.
- EstimatorWindow CostEstimate window replacement cost by count, size, frame material, and insert versus full-frame install.
- CalculatorInsulation PaybackEstimate insulation upgrade cost, annual energy savings, and simple payback from current R-value, attic area, climate, and fuel type.
- EstimatorFlooring costRoom area, material, subfloor prep, stairs, and trim → installed price band by metro.
- EstimatorCountertop costLinear feet, material, edge profile, cutouts, and backsplash → installed price band.
- EstimatorCabinet costLinear feet, stock/semi-custom/custom tier, hardware, and install → price band.
- EstimatorSiding costWall area, material, trim, house wrap, and tear-off → installed siding price band.
- EstimatorGutter lengthRoofline length → gutter feet, downspout count, installed price, and optional gutter guard cost.
- EstimatorPaver calculatorPatio area, base depth, pattern waste, and edging → paver square feet, base yards, and installed cost band.
- EstimatorTree removal costTree height, trunk diameter, proximity to structures, site access, and stump grinding → price band.
- PlannerDeck Project PlannerSize, height and material → footing-to-railing budget, trades and IRC inspection reminders.
Find carpenters near you
Consent-based listings ranked by distance, relevance and verification date — never by payment.
- Carpenters in New York
- Carpenters in Los Angeles
- Carpenters in Chicago
- Carpenters in Houston
- Carpenters in Phoenix
- Carpenters in Philadelphia
- Carpenters in San Antonio
- Carpenters in San Diego
Related trades
Trades that share skills, tools or career adjacency.
- RooferInstall and repair the roof systems that keep water out of residential and commercial buildings.
- ElectricianInstall and maintain the power, lighting and control systems in homes, businesses and industrial plants.
- PlumberInstall and repair the water supply, drainage, gas and fixture systems that keep buildings habitable.