Post job

What is a concrete carpenter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

A concrete carpenter creates concrete forms, pour, spread, and finish concrete for the foundations of buildings and concrete structures such as sidewalks, bridges, and highways. They typically work as a part of a construction team.

Their responsibilities include taking accurate measurements, reading blueprints, and installing fixtures and structures such as scaffolds and ladders at the construction site. To accomplish their tasks, they utilize power and hand tools. They also assist in fabrication work and ensure the work's compliance with safety regulations and building codes.

Pursuing a career as a concrete carpenter requires at least a high school diploma. Some employers prefer candidates with prior experience in general carpentry. Completion of apprenticeships and training programs boosts the chance of landing this job. Applicants must also pass a drug test and background check. This position demands mechanical skills and physical stamina since the duties involve manual labor. On average, a concrete carpenter earns $17.33 an hour, which amounts to a yearly salary of $36,044 per year.

ScoreConcrete CarpenterUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $39,431

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.6

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.16%

Asian 1.63%

Black or African American 7.52%

Hispanic or Latino 23.13%

Unknown 4.69%

White 61.87%

Gender

female 3.94%

male 96.06%

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
8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Concrete carpenter career paths

Key steps to become a concrete carpenter

  1. Explore concrete carpenter education requirements

    Most common concrete carpenter degrees

    High School Diploma

    43.9 %

    Associate

    16.3 %

    Bachelor's

    15.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific concrete carpenter skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Hand Tools14.74%
    Scaffolding10.45%
    Ladders9.76%
    Slabs8.63%
    Formwork7.42%
  3. Complete relevant concrete carpenter training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New concrete carpenters 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 concrete carpenter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real concrete carpenter resumes.
  4. Research concrete carpenter duties and responsibilities

    • Maintain knowledge of all building codes and OSHA regulations.
    • Perform quantity take offs for materials require to complete concrete formwork for walls and flatwork.
    • Plane, assign and supervise the work of cement finishers, relate craftsmen, and laborers at various locations.
    • prepare the layout of thr project mixing concrete rod, busting, spreading concrete asphalt create structure for pouring concrete.
  5. Prepare your concrete carpenter resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your concrete carpenter 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 concrete carpenter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable concrete carpenter resume templates

    Build a professional concrete 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 concrete carpenter resume.
    Concrete Carpenter Resume
    Concrete Carpenter Resume
    Concrete Carpenter Resume
    Concrete Carpenter Resume
    Concrete Carpenter Resume
    Concrete Carpenter Resume
    Concrete Carpenter Resume
    Concrete Carpenter Resume
    Concrete Carpenter Resume
  6. Apply for concrete carpenter jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a concrete carpenter 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 concrete carpenter job

Zippi

Are you a concrete carpenter?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average concrete carpenter salary

The average concrete carpenter salary in the United States is $39,431 per year or $19 per hour. Concrete carpenter salaries range between $30,000 and $51,000 per year.

Average concrete carpenter salary
$39,431 Yearly
$18.96 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do concrete carpenters rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Concrete carpenter reviews

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


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Livable wage

Cons

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


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

I enjoy building things with wood. The gratification of seeing things come together from bottom, to top, when building. From top to bottom when taking down. All the way from pouring the slab, to hanging pictures on the painted walls..

Cons

Rainy days, lazy Co workers,


Working as a concrete carpenter? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

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.

Browse construction and extraction jobs