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Carpenter apprentice and helper: pay, job outlook and how to start

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$43,780median pay per year, or $21.05 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $31,660lowest 10% earn less
  2. $36,73025th percentile
  3. $43,780median
  4. $49,40075th percentile
  5. $57,670top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

People who help carpenters, listed by BLS as helpers--carpenters, had a median pay of $43,780 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to fall 1.7% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-1.7%[2]
Openings per year
2,000[5]
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential[6]

How much do carpenter helpers make?

O*NET lists carpenter apprentice, carpenter assistant and carpenter helper as sample job titles for this occupation[7]. The median wage was $43,780 a year, or $21.05 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The median for all occupations was $50,980[4], so this job's median sat below it. The mean (average) wage was $44,050 a year, or $21.18 an hour[8].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $31,660 a year, and the top 10% earned more than $57,670[3]. A percentile wage is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][10] $31,660 $15.22
25th[3][10] $36,730 $17.66
Median[1] $43,780 $21.05
75th[3][10] $49,400 $23.75
90th[3][10] $57,670 $27.73

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

The highest state medians were New Hampshire at $58,090, Colorado at $50,900 and Connecticut at $50,460[12]. Missouri had the lowest listed median at $32,420[12].

California had the most jobs at 2,670[13]. Texas followed with 2,270 and Florida with 2,120[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[14], the Los Angeles area had the highest median at $64,810. The San Francisco area was next at $62,370, then the Portland area at $51,200[14]. The New York area had the most jobs at 1,360[15]. San Juan, Puerto Rico had 1,010 jobs and a median of $26,380[15].

Show median pay in 47 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
New Hampshire[12]$58,090n/a
Colorado$50,900200
Connecticut$50,460200
Rhode Island$50,300n/a
Maine$50,100160
California$49,8902,670
Massachusetts$48,130630
New York$47,7401,110
Arkansas$46,800100
Washington$46,060620
Illinois$45,660n/a
Michigan$44,960230
Ohio$44,760540
Hawaii$44,550n/a
Vermont$44,550200
New Jersey$44,040840
Texas$43,9502,270
Pennsylvania$43,880560
Virginia$43,7301,200
Oregon$43,260220
Indiana$42,940160
Montana$42,670n/a
Idaho$41,820n/a
Arizona$41,540n/a
Louisiana$40,900860
North Carolina$40,540650
Florida$40,2202,120
Georgia$40,160410
Iowa$39,830100
Tennessee$39,790440
Nebraska$39,67050
Wisconsin$39,480150
Maryland$39,470580
Alaska$39,21090
Alabama$38,930410
Kansas$38,13080
Oklahoma$38,080150
New Mexico$37,10050
Nevada$36,230540
South Carolina$36,090200
Utah$35,820330
Kentucky$35,520n/a
Mississippi$35,360140
South Dakota$34,700330
Delaware$33,920190
West Virginia$33,760320
Missouri$32,42050

How to start as a carpenter helper

BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry education. It lists no related work experience and short-term on-the-job training as typical[6]. The details below come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of construction laborers and helpers[16].

Helpers sometimes move into a construction trade after gaining experience and finishing any required credentials or training[22]. O*NET groups the work in Job Zone 1-2, which means very little to some preparation is needed[23].

What carpenter helpers do

Helpers do work that needs less skill than the carpenter's, such as holding or supplying materials and tools and cleaning the work area[24]. Typical tasks include:

Sample job titles include Carpenter Apprentice, Carpenter Assistant and Carpenter Helper[7].

Where they work

The wider BLS profile says construction laborers and helpers often work outdoors in all weather. Some work at great heights or in confined spaces, and travel to job sites may be required[26]. Full-time work is typical and schedules may vary. In some parts of the country, work may be seasonal, since cold weather can limit winter construction in northern climates[27]. The profile says construction laborers have one of the highest injury and illness rates of all occupations, and safety practices and protective gear reduce the risk[28]. Specialty trade contractors were the largest employer of the wider group, at 32%[29]. About 1.7% of carpenter helpers were self-employed in 2025[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 21,900 to 21,500 jobs[2]. Across all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[31]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS lists occupational substitution as a factor. Construction laborers are increasingly given helper tasks because they can support several trades, including carpenters[32].

Jobs still open up. BLS expects about 2,000 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.1% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 6.1% to move to a different occupation[33].

OEWS counted about 21,680 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe an entry point with no formal credential and short-term on-the-job training[6]. Median pay was below the all-occupations median[1][4]. Employment is projected to shrink slightly, while openings continue from people leaving the job[2][5]. The work is physical and often outdoors[25][26]. Helpers sometimes move into a trade after gaining experience[22].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a carpenter helper make an hour?
The median was $21.05 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $15.22 an hour and the top 10% earned more than $27.73[10].
Do you need a degree to be a carpenter apprentice or helper?
BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry education, with short-term on-the-job training[6].
Is carpenter helper a growing job?
BLS projects a 1.7% decline from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][31]. About 2,000 openings a year are still expected[5].
Which state pays carpenter helpers the most?
New Hampshire had the highest median at $58,090, followed by Colorado at $50,900[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Helpers--Carpenters in the US was $43,780 per year and $21.05 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Helpers--Carpenters is projected to decline 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 21,900 to 21,500 jobs (a change of -400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Helpers--Carpenters: 10th percentile $31,660, 25th percentile $36,730, 75th percentile $49,400, 90th percentile $57,670. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,000 openings for Helpers--Carpenters are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Helpers--Carpenters: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. O*NET 47-3012.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Carpenter Apprentice, Carpenter Assistant, Carpenter Helper. O*NET OnLine
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Helpers--Carpenters was $44,050 per year and $21.18 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Helpers--Carpenters: 10th percentile $15.22, 25th percentile $17.66, 75th percentile $23.75, 90th percentile $27.73. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Helpers--Carpenters in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Helpers--Carpenters jobs: California 2,670; Texas 2,270; Florida 2,120; Virginia 1,200; New York 1,110. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Helpers--Carpenters (areas with at least 100 jobs): Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $64,810; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,370; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $51,200; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $48,850; Baton Rouge, LA $47,830; Reno, NV $47,430; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $46,060; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $45,710. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Helpers--Carpenters jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,360 (median $48,850); San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 1,010 (median $26,380); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 750 (median $64,810); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 740 (median $44,600); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 630 (median $44,380); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 530 (median $43,740). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Construction Laborers and Helpers" covers Helpers--Carpenters together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 47-3012.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Helpers--Carpenters. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Helpers--Carpenters. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of construction laborers and helpers in 2025: Specialty trade contractors 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 1.7% of Helpers--Carpenters were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Helpers--Carpenters: Occupational substitution - share decreases as construction laborers are increasingly assigned helpers tasks because they can support various trades, including carpenters. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Helpers--Carpenters: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 21,680 people were employed as Helpers--Carpenters in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.