Rough Carpenters
Did You Know:*
- About 32 percent of all carpenters are self-employed.
- Job opportunities should be best for those with the most training and skills.
- Carpenters can learn their craft through on-the-job training, vocational schools or technical colleges or formal apprenticeship programs, which often takes three to four years.
Industry Areas
- Residential Building Construction
- Nonresidential Building Construction
- Building Finishing Contractors
Day-to-Day Tasks*
- Measure materials or distances, using square, measuring tape, or rule to lay out work.
- Study blueprints and diagrams to determine dimensions of structure or form to be constructed.
- Cut or saw boards, timbers, or plywood to required size, using handsaw, power saw, or woodworking machine.
Overall Kind of Work*
Carpenters construct, erect, install and repair structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials. Carpenters are involved in many different kinds of construction, from the building of hi...
Work Environment*
Civilian
As is true of other building trades, carpentry work is sometimes strenuous. Prolonged standing, climbing, bending, and kneeling often are necessary. Carpenters risk injury working with sharp or ro...
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People: 
Things:
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
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Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
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Time Pressure:
Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 61.30% (Private For-Profit)
- 1.76% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 1.71% (State and Local Govt)
- 0.49% (Federal Government)
- 34.74% (Self-Employed)
This data also pertains to Carpenters