Is Carpentry a Good Career? Yes, Here’s Why

Career Opportunities in Carpentry

Hiring in construction remains strong which is increasing the demand for several skilled trades in the industry — this includes carpentry.

Carpenters are skilled at building, installing and repairing structures made from wood, drywall and other materials. Many carpenters become proficient with power tools for cutting, shaping, and joining wood together.

When selecting a trade to explore there are many great options. But if you have an affinity for working with wood, and are wondering "is carpentry a good job?," then carpentry may be the right career for you.

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What is Carpentry?

Carpentry is a trade and craft involving construction and projects made of wood and wooden materials that can allow you to go wherever your creativity takes you. It's a far-reaching career: carpenters can work on smaller projects or be part of larger urban construction teams.

We sometimes take for granted the usefulness of carpentry in our day-to-day lives because we see their work at our jobs, when we go out to eat, or even when we use bridges and other structures. If there’s a surface or structure made of wood nearby, chances are a carpenter was the one to build it.

How to Learn Carpentry Skills

There’s a reason it takes time to become a seasoned carpenter: there are many skills to be learned to make sure their work is high quality and reliable, especially if you’ll be working on a building with rigorous safety standards that experiences substantial foot traffic. The typical pathway to learning the skills to become a carpenter is to enroll in vocational and woodshop classes in high school, and then go to trade school. More recently, you can also find tutorials to help you expand your knowledge and plans to help challenge you and continue to hone your skills.

Here are some of the skills a carpenter needs to learn. Note that this is not a complete list. What carpenters do can differ depending on the specialty of carpentry you’d like to pursue.

Necessary Skills for What Carpenters Do:

Use of power tools (i.e., electrical saws, drill presses, sanders, etc.)
Use of hand tools (i.e., hammer, screwdriver, leveler, hand drill, etc.)
Measuring accurately
Reading blueprints
Having attention to detail
Painting
Framing
Mitering
Joining
Quality control
Physical stamina
Critical thinking
Teamwork and communication

5 Reasons Why Carpentry is a Good Career

Now that you have a better understanding of what carpenters do, the question "is carpentry a good career?" becomes much easier to answer. Here are five reasons why it’s a rewarding career to pursue.

1. Less Student Debt

Let’s face it, education is expensive, and it’s only been getting more expensive according to Forbes. Bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars by the time they’re completed. Becoming an experienced carpenter usually requires two years of education and/or apprenticeship, which could result in less debt for the carpenter.

2. High Demand

The Bureau of Labors Statistics projects the demand for carpenters to rise 2 percent through 2031. That’s not as fast as other professions, but the demand will remain strong as veteran carpenters exit the labor force.

3. Involved and Rewarding

In carpentry–you’re out keeping your hands and mind busy. Trades in general are challenging work, but you get to see the project come to life before your eyes, and it can be very satisfying and fulfilling.

4. Options Advancement and Growth

If you are good at the job, carpentry provides plenty of opportunities for growth. Beyond construction, carpenters are employed in various industries like facilities management and manufacturing. If it’s related to woodworking, you can have a career with it using your carpenter’s skill set.

5. Leave a Legacy

Good carpentry can last for many years. Some professions may not see their work truly come to life, but buildings and other constructs built by carpenters have stood the test of time. You’ll have a tangible project that you’ll be able to say you worked on with pride, and wonder why you ever asked yourself "is carpentry a good career?"

Is a Carpenter a Good Career Choice? Here's the Job Outlook

While the demand for carpenters might not be as strong as other skilled trades, the global construction market is expected to grow from 8.9 to 14.4 trillion dollars over the next ten years. This could represent plenty of opportunity for both novice and veteran carpenters.

How To Become a Carpenter

Great carpenters are knowledgeable and diligent professionals. Becoming a carpenter often requires a high school diploma/GED and either experience as a carpenter’s apprentice or by attending a trade school. During an apprenticeship or trade school, future carpenters will learn about the science and engineering behind the trade, as well as gain hands-on experience during the apprenticeship. After about two years, novice carpenters usually have enough experience to take their career to the next level.