Careers in the Carpenter Trade

Using their skills to build and construct structures, carpenters use wood and other materials to build frames, walls, roofs, doors, windows, and cabinets. They may also install flooring, drywall, and insulation. Some carpenters specialize in particular types of construction, such as building foundations or laying bricks and blocks for buildings. Other carpenters may choose to focus on finishing work, installing baseboards, crown molding, and window casings to give a finished look to interior spaces.

Many carpenters find job satisfaction in the ability to transform raw materials into functional and beautiful structures. They may also enjoy the challenge of working in a variety of settings and completing unique projects. However, like many other trades, carpentry can be physically demanding and requires attention to safety.

Some carpenters pursue further education or specialization to advance their careers. Others take on leadership roles, becoming supervisors or foremen. In these positions, they are responsible for supervising other carpenters and ensuring that all aspects of a project are completed on time and within budget.

For generations, young people have been encouraged to place college above work in the trades—a view that has decimated programs that once introduced teenagers to skilled labor. Now, some young adults, such as Nickeia Hunter, are challenging this narrative. The 24-year-old carpenter from Seattle credits her success to hard work and a mentor who instilled in her the value of quality over quantity. But she says it will still take immense work to reverse the cultural and macroeconomic trends that have created America’s current shortage of carpenters.