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What is a carpenter/labour and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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A carpenter/labor construct, repair, and install building frameworks, fixtures, and structures created from wood and related materials. These include walls, windows, floors, cabinets, door frames, and doors, among others. They perform general maintenance tasks and help in mechanical and carpentry-related jobs. Furthermore, they operate forklifts, wheel loaders, and related equipment. Also, they follow blueprints and building plans to meet their customer's needs. Additionally, they instruct and direct laborers and other construction helpers.

This personnel needs only a high school diploma and on-the-job training. While certifications are not necessarily essential to getting a job, there are certificate programs that teach carpenters the required basics. You must possess technical, attention to detail, communication, and time management skills. Additionally, applicants need manual dexterity, a good sense of balance, and hand-eye coordination. Also, you must be physically fit.

A carpenter/labor makes an average salary of $30,279 per year or $14.56 per hour. The range vary between $25,000 and $36,000.

ScoreCarpenter/LabourUS Average
Salary
2.8

Avg. Salary $36,131

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.6

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.05%

Asian 1.61%

Black or African American 7.28%

Hispanic or Latino 23.28%

Unknown 4.62%

White 62.17%

Gender

female 4.04%

male 95.96%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Carpenter/labour career paths

Key steps to become a carpenter/labour

  1. Explore carpenter/labour education requirements

    Most common carpenter/labour degrees

    High School Diploma

    51.0 %

    Bachelor's

    15.1 %

    Diploma

    14.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific carpenter/labour skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Roofing17.74%
    Safety Rules10.22%
    Drywall Installation9.85%
    Door Installation6.30%
    Sheetrock5.43%
  3. Complete relevant carpenter/labour training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New carpenter/labours learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a carpenter/labour based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real carpenter/labour resumes.
  4. Research carpenter/labour duties and responsibilities

    • Perform rough carpentry tasks utilizing basic carpentry tools including framing and roofing.
    • Concrete laborer, finish concrete, operate equipment, door hardware, concrete demo
    • Skil carpentry such as framing houses decking whole houses.AL do residential and commercial HVAC duct work.
    • Patch sheetrock, tape and floating after install, lastly put on texture either spray or knock down for beautiful look.
  5. Prepare your carpenter/labour resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your carpenter/labour resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a carpenter/labour resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable carpenter/labour resume templates

    Build a professional carpenter/labour 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/labour resume.
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    Carpenter/Labour Resume
  6. Apply for carpenter/labour jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a carpenter/labour job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first carpenter/labour job

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Average carpenter/labour salary

The average carpenter/labour salary in the United States is $36,131 per year or $17 per hour. Carpenter/labour salaries range between $27,000 and $47,000 per year.

Average carpenter/labour salary
$36,131 Yearly
$17.37 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do carpenter/labours rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

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Carpenter/labour reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2023
Pros

Great Pay and benefits ($100,000) without spending the money on college. They have their own apprenticeship program. Is 100% self funded and does not use any tax dollars.

Cons

Some days are hot, some days are cold


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Seeing the finished product

Cons

I am a master carpenter. It’s hard sometimes waiting on materials to finish a job


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Livable wage

Cons

Travel expenses, working away from home, working in bad conditions


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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