Construction Carpenters: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Job description

Construction Carpenters construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard, using carpenter’s hand tools and power tools.

• Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.
• Study specifications in blueprints, sketches, or building plans to prepare project layout and determine dimensions and materials required.
• Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.
• Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws.

Salary

Construction Carpenters with little to no experience tend to make between $28860 and $35820 while the more experienced ones can earn over $61530 per year.

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Construction Carpenter is to move to a higher paying state like HI. Right now, the highest paying states for Construction Carpenters are HI, IL, AK, NJ and NY.

However, a higher pay at HI doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at HI might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Construction Carpenter is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

Requirements

We asked other Construction Carpenters what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by less than a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Construction Carpenter.

What is the job like

60% of Construction Carpenters said they were satisfied with their job and 58% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Ronnie Collins

My name is Ronnie Collins, I’m a professional woodworker and a passionate gardener with an MS degree in Botany. I worked in a house construction brigade for 8 years. We offered “turnkey” construction of private houses in Maryland suburbs. My specialization in the team was construction and interior carpentry. My Typical Day Not all working … Read More

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Sean Chapman

I’m a professional multi-profile carpenter with over 10 years of experience in the field and I work with individuals and businesses as an independent contractor. My typical day Most often, I receive orders from homeowners who want me to construct decking, pergolas, indoor staircases, or install indoor/outdoor furniture. Business orders usually include similar jobs in … Read More

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Is this right for me

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

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