How to hire a trim carpenter

How to hire a trim carpenter, step by step

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

What does a trim carpenter do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The trim carpenter hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A trim carpenter's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, trim 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 trim carpenter salaries for various roles:

   Type of Trim Carpenter	Description	Hourly rate
   Trim 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.	$16-28
   Mason	A mason is responsible for shaping artificial mineral products, concrete blocks, stone pieces, and bricks to create structures essential for construction or other building purposes using various machinery and equipment, following the highest safety standards and production procedures. Masons analyze schematics and blueprints, applying the clients' specifications and customization to their product expertise... Show more	$13-32
   General Foreman	Using their knowledge and expertise of all construction disciplines, a general foreman plans and oversees operations within a construction site to ensure that everything is running smoothly. They are typically in charge of conducting regular inspections, coordinating with engineers and architects, managing the budget and expenditures, supervising workers, and ensuring that the project moves according to the desired time frame... Show more	$17-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Work Ethic
   • Window Sills
   • Safety Rules
   • Ladders
   • Scaffolding
   • Custom Cabinets
   • Door Frames
   • Clean Environment
   • Power Saws
   • Door Hardware
   • Install Cabinets
   • Interior Trim
   • Window Frames

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Used woodworking tools such as jigsaws, planers, jointers, table saws and band saws.
   • Install and repair roofs, flashing/weatherproofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electric fixtures
   • Smooth or sand surfaces to remove ridges, tool marks, glue, or caulking.
   • Finish crown mold including caulking.
   • Focus on high-end remodel projects and new home construction.
   • Frame and sheet houses sometimes doing siding and shingles also

   More trim carpenter duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your trim carpenter job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A trim carpenter can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, trim carpenters' average salary in nebraska is 52% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level trim carpenters 43% less than senior-level trim carpenters.
   • Certifications. A trim carpenter with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a trim carpenter's salary.

   Average trim carpenter salary

   $45,718yearly

   $21.98 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level trim carpenter salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average trim carpenter salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$58,146	$28
   2	Colorado	$54,433	$26
   3	Pennsylvania	$53,499	$26
   4	Nevada	$51,672	$25
   5	Maine	$50,663	$24
   6	Arizona	$49,497	$24
   7	Louisiana	$46,854	$23
   8	New York	$46,137	$22
   9	Wisconsin	$44,250	$21
   10	Ohio	$44,033	$21
   11	Michigan	$43,305	$21
   12	Florida	$42,970	$21
   13	Indiana	$42,716	$21
   14	Texas	$40,654	$20
   15	Tennessee	$40,381	$19
   16	Virginia	$36,294	$17
   17	North Carolina	$35,667	$17
   18	Alabama	$35,607	$17
   19	South Dakota	$32,143	$15
   20	Nebraska	$29,608	$14

   Average trim carpenter salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	General Electric	$55,017	$26.45
   2	Crew Technical Svc	$45,451	$21.85
   3	Skilled Trades	$45,104	$21.68	2
   4	Paul Davis USA	$44,898	$21.59	61
   5	R&K Building Supplies	$44,518	$21.40
   6	Tradesmen International	$44,471	$21.38	82
   7	Aerotek	$44,101	$21.20	72
   8	Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise System	$44,039	$21.17	110
   9	Closet Factory	$43,821	$21.07	27
   10	PeopleReady	$43,512	$20.92	14
   11	RK	$43,191	$20.76
   12	Express Employment Indy South	$43,084	$20.71	3
   13	US LBM	$42,994	$20.67	4
   14	Wolf Line Construction	$42,994	$20.67
   15	Award Staffing	$42,899	$20.62
   16	Servpro	$42,747	$20.55	14
   17	TPI	$42,738	$20.55
   18	NORTH	$42,424	$20.40
   19	Closets By Design	$42,282	$20.33	8

4. Writing a trim carpenter job description

   A trim 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 trim carpenter job description:

   Trim carpenter job description example

   Job DescriptionKitchen Tune-Up is seeking an individual to join our team doing kitchen remodeling projects across Greater Portland and the surrounding communities. We offer unique custom products and services that are in strong demand with homeowners. We are dedicated to making our customers kitchens the best they can be. You will never get bored as every kitchen is different, average duration is 5 days and we are off to the next one. We work in a climate-controlled environment and offer steady year-round employment, both full and part time.
   Perks working with us:
   Vehicle and/or mileage reimbursement provided for job appointments
   Performance bonuses when meeting production goals.
   Growth opportunities within the company, if desired
   Responsibilities:
   Arrive to shop or jobsite on time Work quickly and efficiently with a production mindset Well organized, attention to detail is a must
   Interpret plans and specifications provided by project manager
   Be polite and courteous to our customers, keep work area clean and orderly and clean up daily Cooperate with the team, keeping everyone’s best interests in mind
   Able to keep track of tools and keep your jobsite/ van organized
   Communicate with project manager daily about progress
   
   Must have a valid driver's license and be able to pass a background check.
   
   Skills:
   Stellar work ethic
   Able to follow directions without deviating
   Must be able to match colors (cannot be color blind)
   Use of saws, power tools, paint sprayers, etc.
   Willing to learn and be trainable
   Additional Skills (preferred but not required)
   Prior experience working with wood veneers or cabinet refacing
   Prior experience in spray lacquers.
   Able to install crown molding
   
   Why Work for Kitchen Tune-Up
   Vehicle and tools provided for job use Full and/or part-time We are willing to train the right candidates, even if you have no direct prior experience.
   Pay range: $25.00- $50.00/hour Paid vacations
   We are seeing full or part-time employees.
   
   Please click here to apply for this position today!
   The positions on this website, unless otherwise indicated, are posted by Kitchen Tune-Up® franchisees. Kitchen Tune-Up® franchises are independently owned and operated businesses and if you accept a position with an Kitchen Tune-Up® franchisee, you are employed by that franchisee, and not by franchisor HFC KTU LLC, nor any of its parents or affiliates. The hiring franchisee is solely responsible for all employment decisions including hiring, termination, discipline, compensation and benefits and HFC KTU LLC and its parents and affiliates have no input or involvement in such matters. HFC KTU LLC does not receive, review or store any applications for employment. Any questions about posted positions or the hiring process must be directed to the Kitchen Tune-Up® franchisee posting the position.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right trim 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 trim carpenters they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit trim 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 trim carpenter job on Zippia to find and recruit trim carpenter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit trim 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 trim carpenter

   Once you've selected the best trim 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.

   To prepare for the new trim carpenter first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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