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How to hire a lead carpenter

Lead carpenter hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring lead carpenters in the United States:

  • There are currently 311,823 lead carpenters in the US, as well as 6,359 job openings.
  • Lead carpenters are in the highest demand in Seattle, WA, with 4 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a lead carpenter is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new lead carpenter to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a lead carpenter, step by step

To hire a lead carpenter, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a lead carpenter:

Here's a step-by-step lead carpenter hiring guide:

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

What does a lead carpenter do?

A lead carpenter is responsible for monitoring field carpenters on performing construction duties, analyzing schematics and blueprints, following clients' specifications, completing the project within the agreed timeframe, and maintaining materials with the budget goals, ensuring the highest quality and client's satisfaction. Lead carpenters regularly inspect the project, perform adjustments as needed, repair defects and inconsistencies, and adhere to the safety standards and protocols during operations. A lead carpenter must have excellent knowledge of the carpentry industry to handle clients' demands and efficiently create the finished product.

Learn more about the specifics of what a lead carpenter does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your lead carpenter 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 lead carpenter 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?

    A lead carpenter's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lead carpenters 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.

    Here's a comparison of lead carpenter salaries for various roles:

    Type of Lead CarpenterDescriptionHourly rate
    Lead CarpenterCarpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, doorframes, partitions, rafters, and bridge supports—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.$17-31
    Construction ForemanA construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays... Show more$20-37
    Construction SupervisorConstruction supervisors ensure construction team members work jointly to deliver excellent work on time. They provide team-building sessions and training and monitor the construction processes... Show more$20-44
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Safety Rules
    • Roofing
    • Plumbing
    • Door Installation
    • Drywall Installation
    • Power Saws
    • Rough Carpentry
    • Custom Cabinets
    • Construction Projects
    • Sub Contractors
    • General Construction
    • Sheetrock
    • Window Installation
    • HVAC
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
    • Erect scaffolding, pump jacks, ladder jacks and ladders for assembling structures over head height.
    • Erect scaffolding for buildings and ship structures and installs ladders, handrails, walkways, platforms and gangways.
    • Remodel, framing, fire/flood restoration, demo and build back and new construction builds, install Sheetrock, special projects.
    • Bore boltholes in timber, masonry or concrete walls, using power drill.
    • Lead the coordination of projects with subcontractors such as plumbers, electricians, and HVAC.
    More lead carpenter duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your lead carpenter job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A lead carpenter salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, lead carpenters' average salary in nebraska is 45% less than in massachusetts.
    • Seniority. Entry-level lead carpenters earn 45% less than senior-level lead carpenters.
    • Certifications. A lead carpenter 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 lead carpenter's salary.

    Average lead carpenter salary

    $49,228yearly

    $23.67 hourly rate

    Entry-level lead carpenter salary
    $36,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average lead carpenter salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$65,799$32
    2Massachusetts$65,381$31
    3Washington$57,504$28
    4Rhode Island$55,168$27
    5New York$53,553$26
    6Pennsylvania$51,819$25
    7Indiana$51,367$25
    8Minnesota$49,966$24
    9Oregon$49,702$24
    10Virginia$49,381$24
    11Colorado$48,119$23
    12Missouri$45,877$22
    13Ohio$45,597$22
    14Utah$43,205$21
    15Illinois$42,361$20
    16Florida$41,406$20
    17South Carolina$41,075$20
    18Georgia$40,895$20
    19Texas$40,854$20
    20Michigan$40,782$20

    Average lead carpenter salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Brasfield & Gorrie$59,503$28.6114
    2Mt. San Antonio College$58,369$28.06
    3General Contracting Services$53,733$25.83
    4Archbold Medical Center$53,049$25.50
    5Washington State University$51,445$24.73
    6White Plains Hospital$51,271$24.65
    7San Jose State University$49,891$23.99
    8Eagle Electric$49,607$23.85
    9GPAC$49,294$23.70
    10Outdoor Living Brands$48,580$23.36
    11Aerotek$47,925$23.0469
    12Paul Davis USA$47,667$22.9259
    13The High Companies$47,563$22.87
    14PeopleReady$47,544$22.8613
    15Sunbelt Rentals$47,441$22.817
    16Express Employment Indy South$47,187$22.693
    17ATI - Allegheny Technologies Incorporated$47,168$22.68
    18Tradesmen International$46,948$22.5782
    19ServiceMaster Restore$46,872$22.537
    20CNY Outsourcing$46,623$22.41
  4. Writing a lead carpenter job description

    A lead carpenter 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. Below, you can find an example of a lead carpenter job description:

    Lead carpenter job description example

    Job DescriptionSalary: $30 - $45 DOE

    JAS Design-Build is currently seeking Lead Carpenters with frame to finish remodeling experience to lead residential remodel jobs around Seattle. We have a regular 40-hour full-time position Lead position available with our company.

    JAS Design-Build, Inc., a mid-sized Design-Build firm specializing in custom residential located in North Seattle. We focus primarily on single residence remodels in the Seattle area and pride ourselves on the quality of the work we do as well as how well we treat our employees. Please visit our portfolio at www.jasdesignbuild.com to see some of our projects.

    We are: A 29 year-old family owned Design-Build company with 100+ employees with a strong desire to build beautiful projects. We run clean, safe, efficient job sites and we make friends with the neighbors while we are doing it. Opportunities for this position and JAS on Whidbey Island and San Juan's, not required.

    We Seek: Candidates with reliable transportation and the hand tools an experienced professional would carry. We are looking for an experienced frame to finish lead carpenter with 5+ years of experience in residential remodel. A successful candidate will be able to read blueprints and prepare the layout of a residential project while also guiding the work of others. Framing experience is a plus.

    The lead site carpenter position at JAS is a well-supported one. As a lead, you will have access to a team of in-house supervisors, project managers, architects and interior designers all assigned to each project we build. They are all there to assist you and the build team move the project forward efficiently and effectively. You will not be left on site with inadequate support to meet your schedules and budgets. Nor will you be asked to run multiple jobs at one time.

    We offer: A competitive wage, a fantastic community-oriented and positive work environment as well as a consistently reliable amount of steady work. After a 60 day probationary period, you will be eligible for our excellent health/dental/rx plan, long-term disability, EAP, paid holidays, PTO, and access to our 401k plan.

    Paid time off begins accruing from first day of work and can be used immediately, we also offer a tool purchasing program, and cell phone reimbursement.

    Are you ready to be part of a company that cares as much about the quality of the finished product as efficiency and productivity? This is a great place to work with quality employees, many who have been with us for over fifteen years. If you fit the qualifications above, please reply by email. Depending on the response to the ad we will likely reply further only to those individuals with whom we would like to try and schedule an interview.

    EEO Statement: JAS Design Build is an EEO employer and all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, age (except for bona fide occupational qualifications), sex, pregnancy (including childbirth or a related medical condition), disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military leave or service, status as a disabled veteran or other covered veteran status, participation in EEO-protected activity, any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, or association with a person on the basis of one or more of the foregoing.

    Job Type: Full-time

    Pay: $30.00 - $45.00 per hour

    COVID-19 considerations:
    We follow Labor and Industry standards regarding COVID-19 and follow local masking regulations.

  5. Post your job

    To find the right lead carpenter 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 lead carpenters they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit lead carpenters 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 lead carpenter job on Zippia to find and attract quality lead carpenter candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit lead carpenters, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    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 lead carpenter

    Once you've decided on a perfect lead carpenter candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  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.)
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How much does it cost to hire a lead carpenter?

Recruiting lead carpenters involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $49,228 per year for a lead carpenter, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for lead carpenters in the US typically range between $17 and $31 an hour.

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