Carpenter: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Carpenters earn a national median of $59,310/yr with 4.5% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Building and Construction, Administration and Management, Mathematics.
Median Salary
$59,310
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
4.5%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
697,740
2024 data
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Carpenter
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Carpenter candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Carpenter performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Carpenter roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 4.5% for Carpenter roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 697,740
- Projected Growth
- 4.5%
- Typical Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Carpenter do?
- Carpenters apply expertise in Building and Construction, Administration and Management, Mathematics to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Coordination.
- How much does a Carpenter make?
- The national median salary for a Carpenter is $59,310 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Carpenter a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Carpenter roles is projected to grow 4.5% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 697,740 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Carpenter?
- The typical entry-level education for a Carpenter is High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Carpenters need?
- The most important skills for Carpenter roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Coordination, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Quality Control Analysis, Mathematics, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving. Key tools and technologies include: Intuit QuickBooks.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.