by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 205 U.S. colleges awarded 6,053 degrees and certificates in Carpentry. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 125 schools in its 2027 Best Carpentry Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $34,838 one year after completing, rising to $42,016 after four years.
Carpenters are an important part of the construction workforce with over one million people working in this field in the US. As one of the top 50 careers with the largest workforce, carpenters provide a critical role in the construction field both residentially and commercially.
Carpenters primarily deal with the construction, repair, renovation, and installation of building frames and structures using wood and other materials. Carpenters use hand and power tools to perform their work.
To be a successful carpenter, you will need to decide if you want to attend trade school first. If you already have experience as a day laborer or have some experience in carpentry already, you may be able to start an apprenticeship in carpentry. However, if you are new to the field, attending a trade school will be a great starting point.
Vocational schools will teach students the needed skills to be a successful carpenter. This includes courses in mathematics, framing and construction techniques, safety, and construction standards to ensure building codes are followed.
As part of their schooling, students will also likely take part in an apprenticeship so that they can gain valuable hands-on experience working in the field.
A major in Carpentry covers Carpenters.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, carpentry draws strong interest, with 6,053 degrees awarded annually. 205 colleges award carpentry degrees, an average of 30 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 500.
By level, the 6,053 awards include 2,279 certificates, 532 associate degrees and 2,989 master’s degrees.
Women earned 10% of carpentry degrees and certificates in the latest year (618 of 6,053). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,793) and Hispanic or Latino (1,403), and international students earned 21.
College Factual ranks 125 schools in its 2027 Best Carpentry Schools ranking, including 12 for associate degrees. It also ranks carpentry schools within 4 states. In all, 205 colleges offer carpentry programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Carpentry Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common carpentry credential is the master’s degree: 2,989 of the 6,053 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to carpentry call most for Coordination, Active Listening and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Building and Construction, Administration and Management and Design, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Oral Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Successful carpenters must possess several critical skills. For example, a large part of your day will be spent measuring, cutting and reading blueprints. For this reason, you will need to have a strong attention to detail. Even simple mistakes can lead to project delays or lost revenue. Another important skill is your ability to problem-solve. Dealing with pre-existing structures, you will likely run into scenarios you haven't seen before - you will need to be able to think creatively and find solutions.
You will also need to be physically fit as strength, stamina and dexterity will play a large role in your career. If you wish to start your own business, you may want to take some business courses to ensure you can properly bid projects and track inventory.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a carpentry degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2,279 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 532 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,989 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to carpentry, at 41.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 41.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 19.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 18.7% |
| Some college courses | 8.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Carpentry, with an average median salary of $61,333; the strongest outlook belongs to Solar Energy Installation Managers, at 9.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Residential Carpenter, Sider Mechanic, Ship and Boat Joiner and Sheather.
Carpenters with years of experience can advance to supervisors or strike out independently and be a general contractor. If you wish to advance to supervisor or start your own business, you should strongly consider attending some business courses at your trade school.
The occupation related to carpentry with the most projected jobs is Carpenters, at 696,226.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenters | 696,226 | 4.2% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 646,091 | 3.6% |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | 484,877 | 9.2% |
Carpentry graduates earn a median $34,838 one year after completing their program, $42,016 after four years and $42,348 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,838 |
| 4 years | $42,016 |
| 5 years | $42,348 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to carpentry is First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, with a median salary of $83,555.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,555 |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | $57,985 |
| Carpenters | $42,458 |
Carpentry includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Carpentry/Carpenter (6,053). It has 6 similar majors in the Construction Trades field, which together award 56,092 degrees a year; the largest are Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (40,602), Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection (7,804) and Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services (4,194). Browse all Construction Trades majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Carpentry/Carpenter | 6,053 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 40,602 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | 7,804 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | 4,194 |
| CONSTRUCTION TRADES | 2,765 |
| Mason/Masonry | 422 |
| Construction Trades, Other | 305 |
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