How to hire a residential carpenter

How to hire a residential carpenter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step residential 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 residential carpenter job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new residential carpenter
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your residential 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 residential 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?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect residential carpenter also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of residential carpenters and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Residential Carpenter	Description	Hourly rate
   Residential Carpenter	Carpenters 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.	$16-29
   Framer	A framer is responsible for devising work plans and assembling the framework structure essential for constructing houses and other facilities. Moreover, they are also responsible for finding the appropriate materials needed for the project, setting the budget, managing the schedule, and consulting with the client for their preferences... Show more	$12-21
   Builder	Builders are responsible for managing, coordinating, and working on the construction. They are also responsible for repairing and maintaining commercial and residential buildings... Show more	$11-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Roofing
   • Plumbing
   • Drywall Installation
   • Power Saws
   • Hand Tools
   • Power Tools
   • Sheetrock
   • Remodel
   • Install Cabinets
   • Window Installation
   • Clean Environment
   • Construction Projects
   • Building Codes
   • Window Frames

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
   • Concrete formwork in building parking structures condominiums and commercial apartment complexes.
   • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.

   More residential carpenter duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your residential carpenter job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A residential carpenter salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a residential carpenter in West Virginia may be lower than in California, and an entry-level residential carpenter usually earns less than a senior-level residential carpenter. Additionally, a residential carpenter with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average residential carpenter salary

   $46,259yearly

   $22.24 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level residential carpenter salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average residential carpenter salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$69,718	$34
   2	Washington	$64,452	$31
   3	Oregon	$56,143	$27
   4	New York	$55,665	$27
   5	Maine	$50,512	$24
   6	Massachusetts	$49,944	$24
   7	Pennsylvania	$49,167	$24
   8	Maryland	$48,061	$23
   9	Minnesota	$47,728	$23
   10	Georgia	$46,579	$22
   11	Virginia	$46,387	$22
   12	Missouri	$43,951	$21
   13	Ohio	$42,085	$20
   14	Michigan	$41,858	$20
   15	Tennessee	$41,049	$20
   16	South Carolina	$39,472	$19
   17	Indiana	$37,567	$18
   18	Oklahoma	$34,624	$17
   19	Florida	$34,421	$17
   20	North Carolina	$33,874	$16

   Average residential carpenter salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Wright-Ryan Construction	$48,575	$23.35
   2	GPAC	$46,905	$22.55
   3	Tradesmen International	$45,023	$21.65	89
   4	Aerotek	$44,781	$21.53	67
   5	Handyman Connection	$44,691	$21.49	58
   6	BOWA	$43,800	$21.06	4
   7	Neil Kelly	$43,683	$21.00
   8	Meridian Bank	$43,583	$20.95
   9	MBS Solutions	$42,523	$20.44

4. Writing a residential carpenter job description

   A job description for a residential carpenter role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a residential carpenter job description:

   Residential carpenter 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 individual in this position will work on residential projects that include maintenance, warranty, renovations/additions for WR Homes' current customers. This position works under the supervision of a lead carpenter or foreman to ensure that Residential Services' commitments are met through the efficient and effective completion of all basic field carpentry activities. Our valued carpenters are part of a career ladder, so if you are interested in advancement this may be the position for you. Carpenters who demonstrate sound carpentry, leadership and technology skills have the potential to move into a Lead Carpenter position.
   
   Job Requirements
   
   + Availability to work 40 hours per week
   
   + Reliable transportation and punctuality
   
   + Stable work history
   
   + Self-starter
   
   + Experience with a wide variety of construction materials and fastening systems and jobsite activities
   
   + Ability to read blueprints and plans and identify problems
   
   + Knowledge of the construction process and carpentry's role
   
   + Awareness of how carpentry integrates with related trades involved in residential work
   
   + Ability to troubleshoot or identify basic electrical, plumbing or refrigeration issues a plus.
   
   + Strong verbal communication skills and a focus on teamwork to ensure the crew's success
   
   + Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
   
   + Good organizational skills and attention to pace and accuracy
   
   Education and Experience Requirements
   
   + High School diploma and/or technical education in a construction related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
   
   + Five years of general residential carpentry experience (frame to finish)
   
   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.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find residential carpenters for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any residential carpenters they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level residential carpenters with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your residential carpenter job on Zippia to find and recruit residential carpenter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit residential carpenters, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 residential carpenter

   Once you've selected the best residential carpenter candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new residential carpenter. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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