Life As a Construction Carpenter
Job Description: Construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard, using carpenter’s hand tools and power tools.
Construction Carpenter Responsibilities
- Cover subfloors with building paper to keep out moisture and lay hardwood, parquet, or wood-strip-block floors by nailing floors to subfloor or cementing them to mastic or asphalt base.
- Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.
- Arrange for subcontractors to deal with special areas, such as heating or electrical wiring work.
- Construct forms or chutes for pouring concrete.
- 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.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Construction Carpenter?
These are the skills Construction Carpenters say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Related Job Titles
- Boatwright
- Wooden Tank Erector
- Flume Worker
- Shipwright
- Car Framer
What Kind of Construction Carpenter Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,025,600 jobs in the United States for Construction Carpenter. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 83,800 new jobs for Construction Carpenter by 2026. The BLS estimates 104,400 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Construction Carpenter are Utah, Colorado, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Mexico, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Construction Carpenter Make?
Construction Carpenters make between $28,860 and $82,750 a year.

Construction Carpenters who work in Hawaii, Illinois, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Construction Carpenters make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $40,310 |
Alaska | $66,240 |
Arizona | $43,460 |
Arkansas | $36,390 |
California | $59,860 |
Colorado | $47,640 |
Connecticut | $57,910 |
Delaware | $49,960 |
District of Columbia | $53,470 |
Florida | $40,660 |
Georgia | $45,850 |
Hawaii | $73,070 |
Idaho | $38,760 |
Illinois | $66,280 |
Indiana | $47,970 |
Iowa | $42,660 |
Kansas | $43,300 |
Kentucky | $47,320 |
Louisiana | $45,910 |
Maine | $42,230 |
Maryland | $48,870 |
Massachusetts | $60,970 |
Michigan | $47,740 |
Minnesota | $52,610 |
Mississippi | $37,740 |
Missouri | $55,220 |
Montana | $42,480 |
Nebraska | $39,080 |
Nevada | $53,140 |
New Hampshire | $47,150 |
New Jersey | $63,230 |
New Mexico | $39,430 |
New York | $62,880 |
North Carolina | $37,180 |
North Dakota | $42,850 |
Ohio | $47,940 |
Oklahoma | $42,990 |
Oregon | $48,680 |
Pennsylvania | $53,450 |
Rhode Island | $51,090 |
South Carolina | $44,490 |
South Dakota | $36,340 |
Tennessee | $39,620 |
Texas | $40,370 |
Utah | $42,160 |
Vermont | $44,590 |
Virginia | $43,750 |
Washington | $60,800 |
West Virginia | $43,570 |
Wisconsin | $50,760 |
Wyoming | $48,750 |
What Tools do Construction Carpenters Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Construction Carpenters:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
- Intuit Quicken
- Estimating software
- Job costing software
- Drawing and drafting software
- Craftsman CD Estimator
- Bosch Punch List
- Wilhelm Publishing Threshold
- Web page creation and editing software
- VirtualBoss
Becoming a Construction Carpenter
Are there Construction Carpenters education requirements?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Construction Carpenter?

Who Employs Construction Carpenters?

Construction Carpenters work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James Seward via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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