Carpenters who are just starting out in the industry are called carpenter apprentices. They often work on commercial or residential construction sites and hone their skills by working under experienced carpenters. Some train at technical or vocational schools, but others learn the trade while working on the job. Starting salaries for entry-level carpenters vary by geographic location and job demand.
Median Starting Salaries
The starting pay for carpenter apprentices is between 30 to 50 percent of what fully trained carpenters make, according to 2012 data reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As entry-level carpenters gain more experience and increase their skill sets, the level of pay increases. In 2012, the median salary for all carpenters was $39,940 per year or $19.20 per hour. If apprentice carpenters earn 50 percent of that average, they might expect annual wages around $19,970 or $9.60 per hour.
Apprentice carpenters with little or no experience in the field often fulfill the role of "helper" to experienced carpenters. They organize supplies, hold materials, assist with tools, prepare and clean work areas and maintain equipment. According to 2012 data from the BLS, the mean annual wage for carpenter helpers was $27,230 or $13.09 per hour. Carpenter helpers who worked on residential building construction had an annual mean wage of $27,400 and employs the largest number of helpers in the industry with 14,610 carpenters.
Geographic location is a critical factor in determining typical starting salaries for carpenters. Cities and states with a high cost of living often pay entry-level carpenters more. For example, the mean annual wages for entry-level carpenters in Hawaii and Rhode Island were the highest at $46,710 and $38,900, respectively, according to 2012 BLS data. Rounding out the top five are Massachusetts, Missouri and Alaska with annual wages of $36,850, $33,370 and $33,100, respectively. The demand for carpenters in an area, unemployment rates and the overall economy of the Unites States also affect salaries across the board. Reconstruction needs after a natural disaster might also impact starting salaries for apprentice carpenters, especially if construction companies need to hire workers quickly.
Future Employment Opportunities
The job outlook for entry-level and experienced carpenters looks promising. Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 24 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average 11 percent for all occupations, according to the BLS. Home remodeling needs, bridge and infrastructure construction and commercial developments -- including construction repairs -- all require carpentry skills. However, an increasing demand for pre-fabricated and modular construction components will negatively affect job demand. According to the BLS, these components replace the most labor-intensive part of carpentry work at construction sites.
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