Carpenters
Construction and Extraction
Plans and sketches set the layout, dimensions, and materials before any cutting begins. Lines are marked on lumber, then pieces are cut with hand tools or power saws and fastened into frameworks, forms, stairs, window and door frames, or floors using screws, nails, dowels, or glue. A plumb bob and level check that the structure is true; damaged woodwork, siding, or coverings are inspected and repaired. Scaffolding or ladders go up for work above ground, and safety rules govern the site. Suits people who like reading drawings, making exact cuts, and checking a frame as it goes up.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$60'580
Median Wage Market Position
$60'580
What you might do
- Build wood frames for walls and roofs
- Measure and mark lumber before cutting
- Cut boards to size with power saws
- Study building plans for sizes and materials
- Check the frame with a level and plumb bob
- Install cabinets, siding, or door frames
Skills that matter
- Measuring and marking cutting lines
- Reading blueprints for layout and materials
- Checking frames with a plumb and level
- Assembling wood frameworks with hand tools
- Listening to crew and site directions
- Spotting damaged woodwork before repair
AI & the future of this role
Much of the job depends on on-site measuring, framing, and fitting materials to imperfect structures. Planning tools may speed layouts or estimates, but hands-on craft, jobsite judgment, and steady building demand tend to protect employment prospects.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details