Among the oldest construction trades across the globe, carpentry involves skilled tradespeople who create furniture and structures using wood and timber.

A carpenter is an essential person in the construction industry, as their work will bring both residential and commercial buildings to life.

They can also be seen in the entertainment sector, as their skills are needed to create structures on film sets and theatre stages.

What do carpenters do?

Those in carpenter jobs could find themselves carrying out this work during a typical day:

Measuring, marking up, cutting and shaping wood and timber to be used as doors, window frames, skirting boards, floor joists and floorboards
Creating and installing door frames, partition walls, staircases and roof timbers into a wide variety of buildings
Fitting cupboards and shelving, as well as carrying out full kitchen installations
Assembling both free-standing and fitted furniture
Assembling shuttering – wooden supports which are used to hold concrete that has been put in place but is yet to dry
Erecting frames on dams, roads and bridges
Constructing stages to be used in theatre productions, film sets and on TV productions
Carrying out restoration jobs on historical buildings
Creating technical drawings
Discussing job instructions and plans with both clients and site managers

Carpenter job duties and responsibilities

Wondering what are the skills needed to be a carpenter? The following are needed in line with this role’s duties and responsibilities:

Being able to use a wide variety of power tools and hand tools, as well as having the skill set to repair and maintain them
A thorough understanding of the building and construction industry
Have great attention to detail
Skillful at mathematics
Skillful at design
A team player
Fantastic verbal communication skills
Being able to work at height
Will always follow necessary health and safety procedures

Expected carpenter salary

How much do carpenters make is likely to be a question that is asked by those considering a career route into this type of trade. The average salary of this type of tradesperson according to Checkatrade research is set out below:

An apprentice carpenter has an average salary in the region of £11,414 per year, which works out at approximately £11,024 of take-home pay
A newly qualified carpenter has an average salary in the region of £17,560 per year, which works out at approximately £15,434 of take-home pay
An employed carpenter has an average salary in the region of £35,360 per year, which works out at approximately £27,538 of take-home pay
A sole trader carpenter has an average salary in the region of £55,314 per year, which works out at approximately £37,010 of take-home pay
A business owner of a Ltd company in the carpentry sector has an average salary in the region of £66,377 per year, which works out at approximately £43,268 of take-home pay

Carpenter courses and apprenticeships

A college course or an apprenticeship are two educational routes available for gaining the carpentry qualifications needed to secure a job in this trade.

Carpentry college courses

There are several college courses available which are linked to carpentry, such as:

T Level in On Site Construction.
Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry.

To enrol on carpentry college courses though, take note that the following entry requirements are usually needed:

To take a T Level course, 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, will often be required, which includes English and mathematics
To take a Level 2 course, 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, will often be required
To take a Level 3 course, 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, will often be required

A carpentry apprenticeship

Learning to become a carpenter through an apprenticeship provides budding tradespeople with the opportunity to gain skills through a combination of time at a college or a training provider, as well as on-the-job training.

Choose this route and there will be a variety of options available to select from, including:

A Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
A Wood Product Manufacturing Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
A Craft Carpentry and Joinery Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Carpentry apprenticeships can take up to two years to complete.

Your route into carpentry work should now be a lot clearer from reading this guide. Still deciding the career that you want to pursue but have ambitions to become a skilled tradesperson? We also have fantastic career guides on how to become a joiner, builder, roofer or plumber.

Career Guide: How to Become a Carpenter

What is a carpenter?