Carpenters

Employers

Approximately 700,290 carpenters work in the United States. Many work in residential and nonresidential building construction, and for building finishing contractors. In 2022, about 27 percent of carpenters were self-employed.

Some carpenters work for manufacturing firms, government agencies, retail and wholesale establishments, or schools. Others work in the shipbuilding, aircraft, or railroad industries. Still others work in the arts, for theaters and movie and television production companies as set builders, or constructing exhibits for museums or art galleries.

Starting Out

Information about available apprenticeships can be obtained by contacting the local office of the state employment service, area contractors that hire carpenters, or the local offices of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, which cooperates in sponsoring apprenticeship programs. Helper jobs that can be filled by beginners without special training in carpentry may be advertised online or with the state employment service. You also might consider contacting potential employers directly.