How To Become a Carpenter
Summary. We reviewed real candidate profiles to learn the best path to become a carpenter. We'll guide you through the education, experiences, and skills hiring managers look for in a carpenter.
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It's important to have relevant work experience, with typical job requirements ranging from 6-12 months in related fields.
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Common job titles before becoming a carpenter include foreman, cashier, and carpenter/labour.
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Hiring managers expect a carpenter to have soft skills such as business skills, detail oriented, and dexterity.
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Once you have all the required skills and experience, it takes an average of 6-12 months of job training to become a carpenter.
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Getting a certification as a OSHA Safety Certificate will help you to earn more as a carpenter.
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To become a carpenter, you typically do not need formal education.
We've found that 22.7% of carpenters have earned a bachelor's degree. Furthermore, 1.7% earned their master's degrees before becoming a carpenter. While it's true that some carpenters have a college degree, it's generally possible to become one with only a high school degree. In fact, one out of every two carpenters did not spend the extra money to attend college.
Those carpenters who do attend college, typically earn either a business degree or a general studies degree. Less commonly earned degrees for carpenters include a construction management degree or a criminal justice degree.
How to become a Carpenter in 6 steps:
- Step 1: Explore carpenter education
- Step 2: Develop carpenter skills
- Step 3: Complete relevent training/internship
- Step 4: Get carpenter certifications
- Step 5: Research carpenter duties
- Step 6: Prepare your resume
Key Steps To Become a Carpenter
Explore Carpenter Education
If you're interested in becoming a carpenter, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 22.7% of carpenters have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 1.7% of carpenters have master's degrees. Even though some carpenters have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Develop Carpenter Skills
It'll be a good idea to develop carpenter skills before applying for a job. Here are some skills commonly requested in carpenter job descriptions:
Skills Percentages Hand Tools 16.96% Ladders 7.73% Install Windows 6.95% Roofing 6.62% Safety Rules 6.45% Complete Relevent Training/Internship
Carpenters spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. During this time, new carpenters learn the skills and techniques required for their specific job and employer. The chart below shows how much time it takes to gain competency as a carpenter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real carpenter resumes.
Average Amount Of Time At Training
Get Carpenter Certifications
Certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for this position. They can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a certification, having one may help you stand out in an application. Plus, the process of getting a certification can teach you new skills that you can bring to your work. We determined the most common certifications for carpenters. The most common certification is OSHA Safety Certificate , but EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) is also frequently seen in carpenters resumes.
- OSHA Safety Certificate
- EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA)
- Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC)
- Graduate Master Builder (GMB)
- Registered Construction Inspector in Building
- Associate Constructor (AC)
- Building Codes and Standards (BC)
Research Carpenter Duties
When you decide to become a carpenter, It's important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. Some common responsibilities are a part of most carpenter jobs. Here is a list of the main duties that define the role:
- Remodel homes, roofing, electric, plumbing, framework, Sheetrock, finishing work.
- Hoist tar and roofing materials to roofs, using ropes and pulleys, or carry materials up ladders.
- Follow establish safety rules and regulations as specified by OSHA and maintain a safe and clean work environment.
- Perform new construction, concrete foundations, layout framing, formwork, roofing, site preparation through fine finish.
- Perform work including, fiberglass framing, concrete form, scaffolding, erecting metal stud walls, drywall and general carpentry
- General labor practices, carpentry, masonry, cement pouring, hardwood floors, cleanup, and other duties as assigned.
Prepare Your Resume
Finally, when you already have checked the skills and responsibilities for this role, you can start creating your resume. Everything that goes into creating a perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks. No worries, we created a resume builder to make this process as easy as possible with tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and a summary.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Carpenter Resume templates
Build a professional Carpenter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Carpenter resume.Apply For a Carpenter Job
Carpenter Jobs
Becoming a Carpenter FAQs
How To Become A Carpenter With No Experience
Becoming a carpenter with no experience takes time and involves you following one of several similar paths. The various paths to becoming a carpenter provide a working environment in which you learn from skilled professionals.