Carpenters

About this job

Carpenters construct, erect, install, maintain and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials.

Want to learn more? Watch this WorkBC Career Trek video and see what it’s like to work in this type of career.

4:37

Carpenter

Source: WorkBC's Career Trek

People in this occupation:

are employed by construction companies, carpentry contractors and maintenance departments of factories, plants and other establishments
may be self-employed
must be able to work precisely and solve mathematical problems accurately and efficiently
must have good observation skills, as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks
should be able to work well within a team

Common job titles

carpenter, boat
carpenter, bridge
carpenter, construction

carpenter, finish / interior finish
carpenter, floor / access floor specialist
carpenter, form / concrete form builder
carpenter, journeyman / journeywoman
carpenter, lead hand

carpenter, rough
carpenter, sign
carpenter, stage / studio

carpenter, wood frame / stair builder
joiner, boat / ship / shipbuilding
prefabricated structure carpenter
repairman / repairwoman, carpentry

carpenter, boat
carpenter, bridge
carpenter, construction
carpenter, finish / interior finish
carpenter, floor / access floor specialist
carpenter, form / concrete form builder

carpenter, journeyman / journeywoman
carpenter, lead hand
carpenter, rough
carpenter, sign
carpenter, stage / studio
carpenter, wood frame / stair builder
joiner, boat / ship / shipbuilding
prefabricated structure carpenter
repairman / repairwoman, carpentry

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$52,000

Source: 2018 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2018 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

High
Median
Low

Source: 2018 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

2018 - 2023
2023 - 2028

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 5,260

2018
2023
2028

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

New jobs due to economic growth:
0.0%
0 openings

Replacement of retiring workers:
100.0%
5,260 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Cariboo

Employment in 2018:

940

Average annual employment growth:

-1.8%

Expected number of job openings:

N/A

Kootenay

Employment in 2018:

1,150

Average annual employment growth:

0.5%

Expected number of job openings:

350

Mainland / Southwest

Employment in 2018:

15,640

Average annual employment growth:

0.4%

Expected number of job openings:

3,510

North Coast & Nechako

Employment in 2018:

1,060

Average annual employment growth:

-0.1%

Expected number of job openings:

170

Northeast

Employment in 2018:

670

Average annual employment growth:

2.0%

Expected number of job openings:

270

Thompson-Okanagan

Employment in 2018:

3,800

Average annual employment growth:

-1.5%

Expected number of job openings:

260

Vancouver Island / Coast

Employment in 2018:

6,210

Average annual employment growth:

-0.9%

Expected number of job openings:

730

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Carpenters:

read and interpret blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements
prepare layouts conforming to building codes, using measuring tools
measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials
build foundations, install floor beams, lay sub-flooring and erect walls and roof systems
fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, moulding and hardware
maintain, repair and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants and other establishments
supervise apprentices and other construction workers
may prepare cost estimates for clients

Work environment

Carpenters typically work 40 hours per week, but may have to work longer hours to complete projects on time. Work may also be seasonal in nature. Construction activity is limited in the winter outside of the Mainland/Southwest and Vancouver Island/Coast regions. As a result, carpenters in these regions may work longer hours during the summer. Options for work during winter months in these regions may also be limited.

Carpenters work alone or in teams. The work environment can be indoors and outdoors, and is often noisy and dirty.

Carpenters must take appropriate safety precautions when lifting materials, working from heights and working with equipment and tools.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

26,100 workers are employed

45% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

Men

Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

15 - 24 years

25 - 44 years

45 - 64 years

65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Construction:

88%

Manufacturing:

4%

Retail Trade:

1%

Finance, Insurance and Real Estate:

1%

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services:

1%

View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

% employment of this occupation

% employment of all occupations

Cariboo

Kootenay

Mainland / Southwest

North Coast & Nechako

Northeast

Thompson-Okanagan

Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a four-year apprenticeship program (or a combination of more than four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses) is required to be eligible for trade certification, although it is not required to work as a carpenter in B.C. For more information, please see the Industry Training Authority website at www.itabc.ca.

The carpenter apprenticeship requires a combination of work experience and class time instruction. The classroom educational training typically takes place over four six-week periods, but part-time and distance education may be available. Apprenticeships can be started in secondary school, through entry-level training at colleges and technical institutes, or by direct entry, where workers find a sponsor employer who is willing to participate in the program.

Interprovincial Red Seal certification, is available to qualified carpenters through the Industry Training Authority. For more detailed information, contact the provincial regulator. A list of provincial regulators can be found at http://www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/labourmobility/docs/AIT_OccupationsRegulators.pdf

Workers with 7,500 hours of documented directly related work experience can challenge the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Entry-level training programs in carpentry, which generally range from four to 10 months, are also available. These programs are designed to introduce students to the carpentry trade. People completing these programs typically start in entry-level carpentry/construction positions.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

Carpentry/Joinery
Construction - Other (Commercial/Residential)

Fine Woodworking/Furniture Related

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

Trades training resources

Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.

Work-related skills

Insights from industry

Future demand for workers will depend on growth in the Construction industry. Slowing growth in residential construction will likely have a considerable effect on future employment job opportunities, as more carpenters work in this area.

Experienced and/or certified carpenters will likely have an advantage in finding work.

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Career paths

People typically begin in this occupation by working as carpenter apprentices or as construction labourers.

With experience and additional training, carpenters can move into supervisory positions, such as foreman or construction superintendent. They may also become self-employed and work as contractors or subcontractors.

Additional resources

Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association (AWMAC), B.C. Chapter
bc.awmac.com
British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)
www.bccassn.com
British Columbia Regional Council of Carpenters (BCRCC)
bcrcc.ca
BuildForce Canada
www.buildforce.ca/en
Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC) - Continuing Education
education.chbabc.org/home.php
Careers in Construction
www.careersinconstruction.ca
Construction Industry Training Network (CITN)
trainingnetwork.ca
Construction Labour Relations Association (CLR) of BC
www.clra-bc.com
Construction Maintenance and Allied Workers (CMAW)
www.cmaw.ca
Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association (GVHBA)
www.gvhba.com
Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) of British Columbia
www.icba.bc.ca
Industry Training Authority (ITA)
www.itabc.ca
Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP)
www.stepbc.ca
Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA)
www.vrca.bc.ca

Carpenters (NOC 7271)

About this job

Carpenter

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

Provincial hourly rate

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

Job openings

Composition of job openings

Regional outlook

Duties

Work environment

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

Employment by gender

Employment by age group

Labour force by industry

Employment by region

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Education programs in B.C.

Trades training resources

Insights from industry

Career paths and resources

Skills of the future

Carpenters (NOC 7271)

About this job

Carpenter

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

Provincial hourly rate

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

Job openings

Composition of job openings

Regional outlook

Duties

Work environment

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

Employment by gender

Employment by age group

Labour force by industry

Employment by region

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Education programs in B.C.

Trades training resources

Work-related skills

What skills do you need for this career?

Insights from industry

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Carpenter

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Steel Stud Framer

Skills of the future