Skilled Trades
Carpenter
Frame, finish, and remodel buildings. Master carpenters who run their own crews regularly earn six figures.
no-degree-requiredpaid-traininghands-on
Salary progression
What you'll earn over your career
$38k
$56k
$88k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+2%
+2% (Average)
Open positions
89,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths
How to get here
Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.
Fastest ROI
Apprenticeship In Person
UBC Journeyman Carpenter
Time
3–4 years (paid)
Cost
Paid / Free
Paid + benefits while learning.
Trade School In Person
Carpentry Certificate
Time
6–18 months
Cost
$3,000 – $15,000
Top programs
Faster start.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Attainability breakdown
What are the odds
you actually get there?
Six factors weighted to estimate the realistic probability a motivated person reaches this outcome. Higher = more attainable.
86
Composite
Attainability Score
Editorial estimate
Editorial estimate — based on best-available qualitative info. We're upgrading individual factors to published statistics where available.
- Educational difficultyHow hard the required schooling is to complete9220%
- Licensing & examsPass rates and difficulty of required exams9515%
- Entry-job competitionHow many applicants per open entry-level role8520%
- Career stay-rateInverse of early-career attrition / industry exit7015%
- Market demandOpenings vs available workforce8015%
- Alternative pathsHow many viable ways exist to enter the field9015%
Recommended schools
Schools known for this path
Verified high-ROI programs aligned with Carpenter. Direct, transparent links to each school's official program page. See the full ROI shortlist →
ASU Online
Online, public research university
Tuition
$580 / credit
Tuition only; mandatory program fees vary.
Programs for Carpenter
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
120 cr × $580/cr = $69.6K
Total cost
$69,600
Starting pay
$38,000
Carpenter (Construction)
Break-even
7.3 yrs
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$493,900
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Quick math
If you took the fastest path…
You'd train for
3–4 years (paid)
You'd spend (avg)
Paid / Free
Starting salary
$38,000
Mid-career
$56,000
Read more
Articles & resources
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · UBC