Over 32 percent of carpenters are self-employed. Educational training to become a carpenter can start as soon as high school by taking math courses, blueprint reading, and shop courses. Vocational training centers and community colleges are also offer college certification and diploma courses along with 2 year associate's degrees in carpentry. If you want a bachelor's degree, you will probably have to pursue a degree in a major like construction management.
Job Outlook for Carpentry
The recent economic recession has deeply impacted the building industry around the world; therefore, the carpentry industry has also been negatively impacted. However, as the economy starts to improve, the building industry is also improving. Carpenters with the most education and training in a variety of different areas of the carpentry field will be best poised to find job openings in this challenging and exciting career field. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, carpenters are expected to see an increase in job growth of about 13 percent through 2018, mostly due to increasing population growth in the United States and people needing more places to live, shop, and work. Growth will also be created as state and federal governments continue to improve infrastructure projects like bridges and roads.
Pay Scale for Carpentry
Successful carpenters, especially those who work in high end constructing projects or customized building project, can make excellent wages According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the middle 50 percent of carpenters had average hourly wages from about $14.00 to over $25.00 per hour in 2008. The industries employing the most carpenters were non-residential building construction and also building finishing carpentry. Carpenters can lose wages due to bad weather and other natural causes when buildings projects must be delayed.
Colleges Offering Carpentry Programs Today
If you like to use your hands and building things, carpentry is an excellent trade. Find out about your local colleges and vocational training centers' carpentry training programs and degree programs today.