What education do Carpenters need?

The most common requirement is: High school diploma or GED. Preparation level: little to some preparation.

What skills do Carpenters use most?

Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Coordination, Reading Comprehension, and Speaking.

Carpenters

Also called Carpentry Construction Specialist, Finish Carpenter, Form Carpenter, or Scaffold Builder

Carpenters construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.

Who tends to enjoy it

Hands-on

People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.

Organizing

People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.

Creative

People who like making things, design, writing, music, and self-expression.

What you'd actually do

Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.
Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.
Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws.
Select and order lumber or other required materials.
Install structures or fixtures, such as windows, frames, floorings, trim, or hardware, using carpenters' hand or power tools.
Verify trueness of structure, using plumb bob and level.
Arrange for subcontractors to deal with special areas, such as heating or electrical wiring work.
Build or repair cabinets, doors, frameworks, floors, or other wooden fixtures used in buildings, using woodworking machines, carpenter's hand tools, or power tools.

A typical day involves

Wearing safety gear Face-to-face with people Standing Part of a team Deadlines and time pressure Using your hands

Skills that matter most

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Coordination
Reading Comprehension
Speaking

What you'll need to know

Building and Construction
Administration and Management
Mathematics
Design
Engineering and Technology

Where to study for this

College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.

Carpentry 271 colleges

Related careers

Construction and Extraction

Construction Laborers

Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

Little to some preparation

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 47-2031.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.