Carpentry

Why Become a Carpenter?

From taking on a home DIY project to working on a specialized job for a customer, carpentry skills are invaluable in so many areas of construction. The carpentry profession sees annual industry growth and higher than average salaries compared to the majority of US occupations; a promising field to build a career in. As Georgia remains one of the fastest-growing states in the US, there is a 10-year growth rate of 14.4% confirming that job opportunities in this field will only continue to increase. Start as a helper or apprentice and the sky is the limit. Consider a rewarding career in carpentry.

Career Pathways

Becoming a Carpenter

Technical College

Diploma program prepares students with skills for careers in the carpentry industry and emphasizes a combination of carpentry theory and practical applications necessary for successful employment. Students receiving a carpentry diploma obtain the qualifications for an entry – level residential carpenter or entry – level commercial carpenter. Standard pathway to obtaining a technical degree in carpentry includes:

Please note, requirements may vary by State and location.

Straight to Workforce

Although most carpenters are educated in their trade through a degree program or apprenticeship, some learn carpentry skills on the job and start as a helper or apprentice. Workers typically learn the proper use of hand and power tools on the job. They often start by working with more experienced carpenters and are given more complex tasks as they prove that they can handle simpler tasks, such as measuring and cutting wooden and metal studs.

Trade Career Opportunities for Carpenters

Residential Carpenters

Specialize in single-family, townhome, and condominium building and remodeling. As part of a single job, they might build and set forms for footings, walls, and slabs, and frame and finish exterior walls, roofs, and decks. They also frame interior walls, build stairs, and install drywall, crown molding, doors, and cabinets. In addition, residential carpenters may tile floors and lay wood floors and carpet. Fully trained carpenters can easily switch from new homebuilding to remodeling.

Commercial Carpenters

Build and remodel commercial office buildings, hospitals, hotels, schools, and shopping malls. Some specialize in working with light-gauge and load-bearing steel framing for interior partitions, exterior framing, and curtain wall construction. Others specialize in working with concrete forming systems and finishing interior and exterior walls, partitions, and ceilings. Most commercial carpenters perform many of the same tasks as residential carpenters.

Industrial Carpenters

Work on civil engineering projects and in industrial settings, where they build scaffolding and create and set forms for pouring concrete. Some industrial carpenters build tunnel bracing or partitions in underground passageways and mines to control the circulation of air to worksites. Others build concrete forms for tunnels, bridges, dams, power plants, or sewers.

Business Owner

Use the skills and experience learned from technical degree, apprenticeship, or on the job training and start a business to become your own boss.

Source: Zippia.com

**Above career path chart shows how you might advance from one job title to another within the trade industry; not all trade pathways are the same and depend on each person’s ultimate goals and job opportunities

Apprenticeships

Have a career path in mind? Find apprenticeship opportunities near you.

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Dual Enrollment

Maximize education and career training by taking courses that earn college and high school credit at the same time.

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