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What is a journeyman carpenter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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The primary duty of a journeyman carpenter is to oversee the construction of wooden infrastructure. This includes concrete forms, frameworks, scaffolding, furniture, and other structures used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They read and interpret architectural blueprints, diagrams, and plans and determine the type and amount of material required for each project. Moreover, they install wooden structures such as frames, stairways, rafters, furniture, and partitions. Asides from that, they manage inventory and restock supplies.

Most employers require candidates to have a high school diploma or its equivalent with a relevant state license. Candidates must have at least three years of carpentry experience. You must have completed a carpentry apprenticeship program. Key skills include maths, communication, attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. You must possess a valid driver's license. The journeyman carpenter makes an average salary of $57,490. The range falls between $49,690 and $66,290.

ScoreJourneyman CarpenterUS Average
Salary
3.8

Avg. Salary $48,428

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.6

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.17%

Asian 1.64%

Black or African American 7.65%

Hispanic or Latino 23.08%

Unknown 4.70%

White 61.77%

Gender

female 3.60%

male 96.40%

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

Journeyman carpenter career paths

Key steps to become a journeyman carpenter

  1. Explore journeyman carpenter education requirements

    Most common journeyman carpenter degrees

    High School Diploma

    36.0 %

    Associate

    26.0 %

    Bachelor's

    21.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific journeyman carpenter skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Hand Tools14.29%
    Safety Rules10.30%
    Work Ethic10.05%
    Ladders9.78%
    Scaffolding8.48%
  3. Complete relevant journeyman carpenter training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New journeyman 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 journeyman carpenter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real journeyman carpenter resumes.
  4. Gain additional journeyman carpenter certifications

    Journeyman carpenter certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific journeyman carpenter certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for journeyman carpenters include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Construction Manager (CCM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research journeyman carpenter duties and responsibilities

    • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
    • Supervise construction of residential home additions, roofing, decking and siding projects for a residential remodeling organization.
    • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
  6. Prepare your journeyman carpenter resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your journeyman 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 journeyman 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 journeyman carpenter resume templates

    Build a professional journeyman 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 journeyman carpenter resume.
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    Journeyman Carpenter Resume
  7. Apply for journeyman carpenter jobs

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

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Average journeyman carpenter salary

The average journeyman carpenter salary in the United States is $48,428 per year or $23 per hour. Journeyman carpenter salaries range between $36,000 and $63,000 per year.

Average journeyman carpenter salary
$48,428 Yearly
$23.28 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do journeyman carpenters rate their job?

4/5

Based on 1 ratings

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3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Journeyman carpenter reviews

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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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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,


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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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