How to hire a carpentry foreman

How to hire a carpentry foreman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step carpentry foreman hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a carpentry foreman job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new carpentry foreman
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a carpentry foreman job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your carpentry foreman job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a carpentry foreman for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A carpentry foreman's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, carpentry foremen from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents carpentry foreman salaries for various positions.

   Type of Carpentry Foreman	Description	Hourly rate
   Carpentry Foreman		$18-34
   Crew Leader	Crew leaders are restaurant workers who act as the team leader of the restaurant's crew. They are usually tenured employees with leadership skills who are respected by the team... Show more	$12-24
   Field Supervisor	Field supervisors are referred to as the generals for various industries such as engineering, construction, and energy. These supervisors oversee and manage field staff's performance... Show more	$14-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Door Installation
   • Drywall Installation
   • Drill Press
   • Construction Projects
   • General Contractors
   • Project Layout
   • Custom Cabinets
   • Construction Sites
   • Custom Homes

   Responsibilities:

   • Coordinate and accomplish successful meetings and inspections with OSHA officials to ensure construction sites are operating according to government codes.
   • Deliver optimal operational efficiency and workforce productivity by leading maintenance efforts for all onsite equipment and vehicles for consistent performance.
   • Install kitchen cabinets, counter tops, backsplash, tiling and flooring.
   • Install wood flooring, bathroom renovation, tiling, glass and metal work.
   • Work with owner to facilitate multi-floor addition and retrofit of existing areas.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your carpentry foreman job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A carpentry foreman salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, carpentry foremen' average salary in mississippi is 47% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level carpentry foremen earn 46% less than senior-level carpentry foremen.
   • Certifications. A carpentry foreman with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a carpentry foreman's salary.

   Average carpentry foreman salary

   $53,798yearly

   $25.86 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level carpentry foreman salary

   $39,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 24, 2026

4. Writing a carpentry foreman job description

   A carpentry foreman job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a carpentry foreman job description:

   Carpentry foreman job description example

   Wright-Ryan is a Maine based, employee-owned company offering unparalleled quality and customer service to our clients and to each member of the Wright-Ryan team. Our experience and reputation allow each of us the opportunity to contribute to exciting and diverse projects in the Commercial, Institutional and Residential markets. Our size fosters the camaraderie, sense of community and supportive environment key to our success. Our organization structure is carefully crafted to maximize the advancement of our valued employee owners.
   What we are proud to offer you:
   
   A discretionary, annual cash bonus program along with competitive employee benefits that include a 401(k) Plan with company match, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), affordable health and dental; company-paid life & short-term disability; and paid time off (holiday, vacation & personal time).
   
   Job Overview
   
   The Carpentry Foreman, who reports to the General Manager of Field Operations and works closely with project Superintendents, is responsible for providing oversight and direction to field carpenters and site assistants to ensure that field work is completed efficiently, profitably and consistent with contract specifications and Wright-Ryan's quality standards. In addition, this individual is responsible for collaborating with the team to ensure overall success of the crew.
   
   An essential craft position for Wright-Ryan, the Carpentry Foreman plays a key role in helping the company achieve our profit goals. This position requires all around knowledge of building materials, fastening systems, trades, reading/interpreting plans and the construction process to ensure timely, safe and proper execution of assigned tasks. Our Foremen work on both commercial projects where accuracy and production speed are key, as well as custom homes where productivity and finish quality are essential.
   
   Job Requirements
   
   + Ability to lead and accomplish company objectives by maintaining and fostering a strong sense of personal responsibility and urgency
   
   + Ability to assess skills and personalities, to supervise labor toward a goal
   
   + Excellent verbal communication skills; good listener and ability to converse respectfully with WR customers and others on the jobsite
   
   + Strong work habits, i.e. punctuality, self-starter, and positive attitude towards construction
   
   + Ability to represent the Company and its reputation in a positive manner
   
   + Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize scheduled work under pressure; ability to handle multiple projects concurrently
   
   + Ability to anticipate construction process issues and problems; keen problem-solving skills to find work-arounds and solutions preventing problems from interrupting the overall schedule
   
   + Knowledge of Federal, State, and local building codes, as well as construction safety standards
   
   + Ability to maintain professional demeanor under pressure and with all levels of contacts
   
   Education and Experience Requirements
   
   + High School diploma or GED
   
   + Five to ten years of experience in general carpentry, with three years of experience supervising a crew
   
   + General construction finance and process/scheduling
   
   We appreciate your interest in employment with Wright-Ryan Construction. Please pay close attention to the "required" qualifications above. If you meet the criteria, we invite you to move on to the application. No phone calls, please. If you are selected for a screening interview, you will be contacted.
   
   Wright-Ryan collects our employee's COVID-19 vaccination status, so that we can comply with client and public health requirements and recommendations as necessary.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right carpentry foreman for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with carpentry foremen they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit carpentry foremen who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your carpentry foreman job on Zippia to find and attract quality carpentry foreman candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting carpentry foremen requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new carpentry foreman

   Once you've found the carpentry foreman candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new carpentry foreman. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a carpentry foreman?