Carpentry

By: Michael Cotton1/30/12

Earnings

Pay Period Low Median High

Hourly $10.87 $17.57 $30.45

Annual $22,600 $36,600 63,300

Data from 2008

Earnings (cont.)

Nonresidential building construction

$21.08

Building finishing contractors

$19.37

Residential building construction

$18.24

Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors

$17.67

Employment services $15.81

High School Education Trade or Vocational School Community College Formal Apprenticeship(3-4 years) Complete Apprenticeship and Gain the

Qualification of Journeyman

Educational Requirements

Become Self Employed (Independent

Contractor) Carpentry Supervisor General Construction Supervisory Important to be able to communicate

instructions in English and Spanish Good communication skills to deal with clients

and subcontractors

Advancement in Career

Carpenters are involved in many different

kinds of construction May be skilled in many areas or a specialist in

a few Working with wood and other materials Jobs can include remodeling a home,

installation and maintenance work, and many other jobs

Nature of Work

Standard 40 hour week Variable conditions if working outside May contain strenuous activities Potential dangerous from work with sharp

objects and work taking place at extreme heights

Working Conditions

1,284,900 in Workforce (2008) 1,450,300 Projected 2018 Projected 13% increase

Job Outlook

Strong Possibility of Working for Self High Demand for Carpenters and their skills Doing something that is a Passion of Yours Backup Career if 1st Plan Doesn’t Come to

Fruition

Advantages of Career

Working in the Unpredictable Elements Not the Greatest Paying Job Can be a Shortage of Work depending on the

Construction Market Higher chance of injury than in most other

professions

Disadvantages of Career

I have a dominant realistic personality and

love to make things with my own two hands. Always good to have a trade to fall back on

(advice from multiple people in my life)

Reason Why This Is A Possibility

After getting my high school diploma, look for

an apprenticeship under an experienced carpenter

Or Enroll at Tennessee Tech and go through their

woodworking program

Things That Can Be Done This Year