Carpenters
SOC 47-2031
Carpenters construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood, such as building frameworks, partitions, joists, concrete forms, studding, rafters, wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. They may also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batting, or roll insulation.
Wages and Benefits
| Hourly Wages | Range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| New Hires, No Experience | $8.00 - $18.00 | $16.44 |
| New Hires, with Experience | $10.00 - $24.00 | $18.18 |
| After Three Years with the Firm | $16.50 - $32.00 | $23.17 |
Average Weekly Hours:
Most (60%) Carpenters work full-time, 40 hours per week. Some (40%) work part-time, 20 hours per week.
Shifts:
Almost all Carpenters work a regular day shift. During the construction season they may work longer shifts and weekends.
Percent of Employers Offering Fringe Benefits:
| Full-Time Employees | ||
| Benefit Offered | % of Employers | |
| Medical Insurance: | Yes* | 53% |
| Dental Insurance: | Yes | 53% |
| Vision Insurance: | Yes | 47% |
| Life Insurance: | Yes | 40% |
| Disability: | Yes | 40% |
| Paid Sick Leave: | Yes | 13% |
| Paid Vacation: | Yes | 20% |
| Retirement Plan: | Yes | 20% |
| Child Care: | No | 0% |
**14% of employers providing coverage cover 50-99% of medical
insurance premiums; and
86% cover 1-49% of medical insurance premiums.
Other Employer Specified:
Bonuses.
EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS
Education:
Almost all (80%) firms require a high school diploma; some (20%) accept less than a high school diploma.
Training:
Some (27%) firms accept six months of training as a substitute for experience.
Experience:
Almost all (87%) firms require four years prior experience as a Carpenter. Some (20%) accept prior experience in related occupations, such as Carpenter’s Helper or Handyman.
Skills rated "Very Important":
Ability to check the accuracy of their work using various tools
Ability to do strenuous, physically demanding work
Ability to plan the most effective way to complete a project
Possession of good oral communication skills
Possession of good eye-hand coordination
Possession of own hand tools
Ability to read and follow instructions
Ability to work as a team member
Ability to work independently
Possession of finish carpentry skills
Possession of own vehicle
Possession of shop math skills
Possession of a good DMV driving record
Possession of a good sense of balance
Ability to utilize hand and power tools
Possession of rough carpentry skills
Ability to assemble formwork and foundations
Ability to read blueprints
Ability to lift 50 lbs
EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
Supply and Demand:
Job market for Carpenters: employers report it “Moderately Difficult” finding qualified, Experienced applicants, resulting in some competition for job seekers; and "Not Difficult" finding qualified, Inexperienced applicants, resulting in a very competitive job search for job seekers.
Recruitment Methods, Most Frequently Used:
Employee Referrals, Newspapers, Word of Mouth, Internet, and EDD/CalJOBS.
Turnover:
Moderately low: 6% in the last twelve months.
Size of 2007 Local Employment:
Very Large: more than 8,784.
Gender Representation:
Local employer response indicates 3% female, 97% male.
Older Worker Retirement:
Few (13%) firms report that older worker retirements over the next 10 years will affect their workforce.
To address the effects of older worker retirements, employers of this occupation would: do nothing, 7%; encourage older workers to delay their retirement, 7%.
Some (27%) firms report that older workers would face employment obstacles in this occupation, such as the physical demands of the occupation.
Where the Jobs Are:
Building Finishing Contractors
Carpentry, Cabinets, and Floor Work Companies
Commercial Building Contractors
Employment Services
Residential Building Contractors
Employers' Employment Outlook:
15 employers responded, providing data representing 188 employees for this occupation.
Eleven employers project employment to grow, three expect it to remain stable, and one expects it to decline over the next twelve months.
Annual Job Growth Projections for San Diego County 2004 to 2014:
| Average annual new jobs: | 287 |
| Average annual replacement jobs: | 338 |
| Average annual total openings: | 625 |
New Job Growth Rate 2004 to 2014:
13.8% projected growth is about the same as the countywide average of 14.7%.
OTHER INFORMATION
Career Ladder/Promotional Opportunities:
Promote from: Apprentice, Helper, and Journeyman.
Promote to: Foreman.
Ex-Offender Employment:
Most (67%) responding employers would consider hiring an ex-offender. Of those: 20% would consider hiring on a case-by-case basis; 50% would disqualify an ex-offender who committed homicide; 50%, sex offenses; and 50%, assault/battery.
Alternate Job Titles:
Journeyman and Field Laborer.
Related Codes:
MOC 21W and 51B.
Data Collection Date:
Fall 2006