Carpentry is the backbone trade of construction: framing structures, forming concrete, hanging doors, building stairs, installing finish work. Commercial carpenters build the forms and frameworks that everything else attaches to; residential carpenters frame and finish homes; specialty paths run from scaffolding to cabinetry to pile driving.
It's the most versatile entry into construction — and the trade where you can most realistically become your own boss, because a skilled carpenter with a truck and tools can sell work directly.
| Stage | Typical Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green hand / apprentice | $17–24/hr | Paid from day one |
| Journeyman | $25–35/hr | ~$52k–$73k; union commercial scale at the top |
| Foreman / specialty / self-employed | $35–45+/hr | Skilled finish and concrete-form specialists earn the most |
Blended national pay runs about $45k–$85k as an employee. The honest picture: carpentry's base pay sits mid-pack among the trades — but it has the widest open door, the most self-employment upside, and skills you'll use for the rest of your life.
Salary is only half the picture. Our free Wealth Calculator compares lifetime earnings, student debt, investment growth, and net worth — trade vs degree, side by side.
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