How to become a Carpenter
Official title: Carpenters
Also called: Carpenter, Boat carpenter, Dock carpenter, Form carpenter, Mill carpenter, Mine carpenter, Sign carpenter, Carpenter rough, House carpenter, Plant carpenter, Rough carpenter, Stage carpenter
Carpenters construct, erect, install, maintain and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials. They are employed by construction companies, carpentry contractors, and maintenance departments of factories, plants and other establishments, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements
- Prepare layouts in conformance 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 subflooring 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
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in carpentry is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification for carpenters is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories. Trade certification for framers is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified carpenters upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Red Seal trade. Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in carpentry is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Red Seal endorsement is available. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $62,634 a year The middle half earn $50,700 to $78,000.
- About 132,000 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 147,600 are projected by 2033. (+11.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Carpenter?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in carpentry is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification for carpenters is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories. Trade certification for framers is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified carpenters upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
How much does a Carpenter earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $62,634 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $50,700 to $78,000.
Is a Carpenter a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2033, from about 132,000 to about 147,600 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a Carpenter?
Usually not. Only 5% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Red Seal trade.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03