Carpenters
Also called: Carpentry Construction Specialist, Finish Carpenter, Form Carpenter, Scaffold BuilderConstruct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 4 of its 29 tasks, and jobs are projected to grow 3.9% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 5.5% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 12.8 hires for every 10 job openings in construction, which employs about 85% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.12.8 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,220 | $40,410 to $56,390 | 5,560 |
| Alaska | $73,860 | $59,770 to $94,150 | 2,560 |
| Arizona | $58,580 | $47,890 to $69,820 | 16,230 |
| Arkansas | $47,760 | $41,460 to $57,510 | 4,030 |
| California | $75,920 | $59,740 to $95,830 | 100,750 |
| Colorado | $62,830 | $51,940 to $74,430 | 12,740 |
| Connecticut | $64,060 | $57,540 to $80,820 | 5,160 |
| Delaware | $59,200 | $48,560 to $75,380 | 2,250 |
| District of Columbia | $61,710 | $57,160 to $75,250 | 1,540 |
| Florida | $49,870 | $44,540 to $59,880 | 39,300 |
| Georgia | $49,350 | $42,210 to $58,250 | 9,190 |
| Guam | $36,910 | $35,450 to $45,280 | 1,510 |
| Hawaii | $85,280 | $66,380 to $110,980 | 4,810 |
| Idaho | $52,000 | $45,250 to $62,920 | 8,380 |
| Illinois | $79,000 | $56,160 to $106,950 | 19,570 |
| Indiana | $62,870 | $49,940 to $76,850 | 15,240 |
| Iowa | $57,710 | $47,640 to $65,910 | 5,770 |
| Kansas | $56,960 | $47,830 to $66,730 | 5,210 |
| Kentucky | $52,680 | $45,940 to $61,260 | 8,540 |
| Louisiana | $49,920 | $43,730 to $59,740 | 8,990 |
| Maine | $62,160 | $52,960 to $72,800 | 5,170 |
| Maryland | $62,960 | $52,220 to $76,810 | 9,770 |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 | $60,770 to $97,520 | 18,540 |
| Michigan | $61,680 | $49,500 to $72,990 | 18,590 |
| Minnesota | $64,930 | $55,240 to $84,410 | 14,930 |
| Mississippi | $48,650 | $38,420 to $52,480 | 2,950 |
| Missouri | $60,840 | $47,520 to $80,570 | 14,410 |
| Montana | $58,820 | $49,590 to $67,530 | 4,030 |
| Nebraska | $50,320 | $45,270 to $62,580 | 5,710 |
| Nevada | $62,380 | $50,440 to $81,400 | 12,700 |
| New Hampshire | $61,200 | $50,170 to $73,760 | 3,760 |
| New Jersey | $64,010 | $51,220 to $80,430 | 14,230 |
| New Mexico | $59,720 | $47,150 to $63,310 | 3,630 |
| New York | $72,330 | $57,330 to $89,820 | 40,630 |
| North Carolina | $49,100 | $42,150 to $58,810 | 13,480 |
| North Dakota | $57,890 | $48,820 to $63,550 | 2,360 |
| Ohio | $60,810 | $48,720 to $75,860 | 18,450 |
| Oklahoma | $46,910 | $40,280 to $53,510 | 3,820 |
| Oregon | $62,870 | $50,450 to $93,380 | 15,110 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,370 | $47,850 to $74,700 | 30,630 |
| Puerto Rico | $30,530 | $27,710 to $34,600 | 3,180 |
| Rhode Island | $60,840 | $52,300 to $75,750 | 2,580 |
| South Carolina | $50,670 | $43,620 to $62,610 | 6,950 |
| South Dakota | $48,140 | $42,190 to $60,060 | 4,560 |
| Tennessee | $50,830 | $46,520 to $59,900 | 8,200 |
| Texas | $48,900 | $44,690 to $57,780 | 33,540 |
| Utah | $52,360 | $45,830 to $62,810 | 15,220 |
| Vermont | $62,400 | $52,260 to $64,420 | 3,080 |
| Virgin Islands | $51,730 | $46,100 to $61,680 | 270 |
| Virginia | $55,690 | $46,460 to $61,340 | 20,460 |
| Washington | $74,190 | $60,630 to $92,660 | 26,960 |
| West Virginia | $48,710 | $38,180 to $60,190 | 3,670 |
| Wisconsin | $61,660 | $49,750 to $79,310 | 13,880 |
| Wyoming | $56,850 | $48,760 to $61,950 | 2,260 |
Nationally: $60,580. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 4 of its 29 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge. | Not published |
| Not much | Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment. | Not published |
| Not much | Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws. | Not published |
| Not much | Select and order lumber or other required materials. | Not published |
| Not much | Install structures or fixtures, such as windows, frames, floorings, trim, or hardware, using carpenters' hand or power tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Verify trueness of structure, using plumb bob and level. | Not published |
See all 29 tasks
| Not much | Build or repair cabinets, doors, frameworks, floors, or other wooden fixtures used in buildings, using woodworking machines, carpenter's hand tools, or power tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Remove damaged or defective parts or sections of structures and repair or replace, using hand tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Erect scaffolding or ladders for assembling structures above ground level. | Not published |
| Not much | Finish surfaces of woodwork or wallboard in houses or buildings, using paint, hand tools, or paneling. | Not published |
| Not much | Install rough door and window frames, subflooring, fixtures, or temporary supports in structures undergoing construction or repair. | Not published |
| Not much | Bore boltholes in timber, masonry or concrete walls, using power drill. | Not published |
| Not much | Inspect ceiling or floor tile, wall coverings, siding, glass, or woodwork to detect broken or damaged structures. | Not published |
| Not much | Assemble and fasten materials to make frameworks or props, using hand tools and wood screws, nails, dowel pins, or glue. | Not published |
| Not much | Fill cracks or other defects in plaster or plasterboard and sand patch, using patching plaster, trowel, and sanding tool. | Not published |
| Not much | Study specifications in blueprints, sketches, or building plans to prepare project layout and determine dimensions and materials required. | Not published |
| AI + software | Arrange for subcontractors to deal with special areas, such as heating or electrical wiring work. | Not published |
| Not much | Perform minor plumbing, welding, or concrete mixing work. | Not published |
| AI + software | Maintain job records and schedule work crew. | Not published |
| Not much | Examine structural timbers and supports to detect decay, and replace timbers as required, using hand tools, nuts, and bolts. | Not published |
| Not much | Dig or direct digging of post holes and set poles to support structures. | Not published |
| Not much | Cover subfloors with building paper to keep out moisture and lay hardwood, parquet, or wood-strip-block floors by nailing floors to subfloor or cementing them to mastic or asphalt base. | Not published |
| Not much | Anchor and brace forms and other structures in place, using nails, bolts, anchor rods, steel cables, planks, wedges, and timbers. | Not published |
| AI alone | Maintain records, document actions, and present written progress reports. | 0.03% |
| AI + software | Prepare cost estimates for clients or employers. | Not published |
| Not much | Apply shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative paneling to ceilings or walls. | Not published |
| Not much | Work with or remove hazardous material. | Not published |
| Not much | Construct forms or chutes for pouring concrete. | Not published |
| Not much | Build sleds from logs and timbers for use in hauling camp buildings and machinery through wooded areas. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 1 of the 29 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 29 tasks fall under 25 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #36 Purchase goods or services
- #38 Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build structures | |||
| Position tools or equipment | |||
| Inspect facilities or equipment | |||
| Direct construction or extraction activities | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes | |||
| Purchase goods or services | |||
| Select materials or equipment for operations or projects | |||
| Prepare mixtures or solutions |
Show all 25 activities
| Apply decorative finishes | |||
| Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment | |||
| Estimate project development or operational costs | |||
| Prepare reports of operational or procedural activities | |||
| Inspect completed work or finished products | |||
| Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas | |||
| Dispose of waste or debris | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Cut materials | |||
| Assemble products or work aids | |||
| Assemble equipment or components | |||
| Position materials or components for assembly | |||
| Apply materials to fill gaps or imperfections | |||
| Perform general construction or extraction activities | |||
| Drill holes in earth or materials | |||
| Prepare industrial materials for processing or use | |||
| Join parts using soldering, welding, or brazing techniques |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A document or report66%
- An email or message11%
- An analysis or summary7%
- Data or a spreadsheet4%
- An explanation or answer2%
How they worked with Claude
84% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for carpenters specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 51,841 moves out
- 1 Construction Managers High +9.1% 8%
- 2 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 8%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
- 4 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers Moderate +5.0% 3%
- 5 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Low +4.2% 3%
Where people moved in from
of 40,886 moves in
- 1 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 6%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 3 Construction Managers High +9.1% 4%
- 4 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Low +1.8% 4%
- 5 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 18% less than high school
- 52% high school
- 21% postsecondary certificate
- 8% some college
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 40 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 26% less than high school
- 43% high school
- 18% some college
- 5% associate's
- 7% bachelor's
- 1% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 10,803 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
1 program: Carpentry/Carpenter.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
51.6% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | 4.8% | 19.1% |
| a certification | 10.2% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | <0.5% | 2.8% |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 35 registered apprenticeships in this occupation. Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Carpenters” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/47-2031.00