Thinking about a career as a carpenter? You’ll be joining a very old profession. Ever since folks crawled out of the cave to sit on a chair at table in a house there have been carpenters. It’s thanks to carpenters that we are surrounded with all those “built things” that we need for our basic standard of living. Once a designer or architect have done their job in creating a blueprint for a project, the carpenters are called in to make it all happen.
Carpenters are the original “Jack of all trades” in the sense that they make use of a variety of skills and tools needed to get a wide range of jobs done. Carpenters build the frameworks for tunnels, mine shafts, bridges, and every building whether that is a single family home or high rise office building. Once the framework has been built, carpenters continue working on all the interior elements that go into a structure. A carpenter installs the walls, windows, doors, ceilings and floors. And who do think provides all the furnishings for a home or office? Well, furniture makers but they are essentially carpenters specializing in a specific area of carpentry. Let’s face it; if it weren’t for carpenters we’ll all sitting on the dirt in the middle of a field somewhere.
An experienced carpenter has a wide variety of skill sets to utilize in their daily work. Simply put the basics of a carpenter’s world are cutting materials to size then joining those materials together. The “how” of the cutting and joining depends on the requirements of the specific project. A carpenter will also work with prefabricated elements which might take away the “cutting” phase but certainly leaves the “joining” work to be done. Their tool box and tool belt will have all the basics: hammer, screwdrivers, power saw as well as tape measures, stud finders and level tools. You’ll also need to know all about nails, screws, glues and cement.
And carpenters don’t just work with hand tools. They need to know how to read blueprints as well as take and adjust measurements. This requires a working knowledge of math, geometry, mechanical reading, algebra and physics. Beyond the classroom, carpenters learn most of their craft with on the job training. This could mean specific apprenticeship programs offered through organizations like the United Brotherhood of Carpenters or the National Center for Construction Education and Research. You could also start your carpentry training by contacting local carpenters and applying for work.
A well trained carpenter can expect to make a minimum of $14 to $30 hour at the start of their career. The more experience and more skills you acquire the greater the chance for a higher salary. As you learn the carpentry trade you may discover a particular area of expertise to excel in such as remodeling or home building. According to the Department of Labor, 32% of all carpenters are self-employed. Great way to make a living!
We’ve got a bunch of experienced carpenters over at the mrW tradesmen directory that are standing by to answer any questions you might have about this field. As long as folks need things to be built a good carpenter can always find work.
