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Skilled Trades

Helpers--Carpenters

Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Median salary (BLS)

$43,780

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$32k – $58k

Job outlook

+5% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Helpers--Carpenters

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Helpers--Carpenters" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Helpers--Carpenters

    Entry / Junior

    $31,660

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Helpers--Carpenters

    Established

    $43,780

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Helpers--Carpenters

    Senior

    $50,725

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site.
  • •Fasten timbers or lumber with glue, screws, pegs, or nails and install hardware.
  • •Perform tie spacing layout and measure, mark, drill or cut.
  • •Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
  • •Drill holes in timbers or lumber.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.