Carpenter Jobs Hiring Near You
Journeyman / mid-career carpenters run about $26 to $36 an hour (roughly $55,000 to $75,000 a year), with the national median at $59,310. In high-cost metros (NYC, Chicago, Seattle, Bay Area) journeyman base rates of $35 to $50+ an hour are common, especially union. · Demand: Steady and stable
Carpenter jobs cover everything from framing walls, floors, and roofs to hanging doors, running trim, and building cabinets. Crews are hiring across new construction, remodels, and commercial work, and most jobs want reliable people they can train, not a college degree.
Most carpenters earn about $26 to $36 an hour once they have some skill, with helpers starting lower and experienced hands and foremen earning more. Every listing below shows the pay upfront, so you can see what a job pays before you apply and get your application in fast.
Carpenter jobs: common questions
How much do carpenters make?
Mid-career carpenters usually earn about $26 to $36 an hour, or roughly $55,000 to $75,000 a year, with a national median near $59,310. Helpers and apprentices start lower, around $17 to $24 an hour, and experienced finish carpenters, foremen, and union hands can earn $40 an hour or more.
Are carpenters in demand?
Yes. Demand is steady and stable, with about 74,100 openings projected each year as older carpenters retire. Skilled, reliable people who show up on time are hard to find, so there is real work out there.
How fast can I start?
You can start right away as a helper or laborer with no experience and get paid while you learn. Many crews will hire you this week if you are dependable and willing to do the physical work.
Do I need a degree to be a carpenter?
No. There is no college degree required. A high school diploma or GED plus basic math is enough to start, and a paid apprenticeship or a helper job teaches you the rest on the job.
New to this trade?
Read the full Carpenter career guide: what it pays, the certs and licenses you need, apprenticeships, and the exact steps to get in.