Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Helpers–carpenters support carpenters and related construction work, with opportunities available across the country. National employment stands at 25,000 workers, with projected growth of 4.5%. About 3,000 annual openings suggest a regular flow of new positions from growth and turnover. The national median salary is $41,600, with some states and metro areas offering higher pay. Strong physical strength and stamina are important, along with mechanical ability, fine motor skills, and attention to detail. Creativity and innovation can also play a role, supported by mathematics, science, and problem-solving capabilities. Customer service and leadership skills may be valuable when working with clients and coordinating with other workers. Entry into this field typically does not require a formal educational credential, which can make it accessible for people starting their careers or changing fields. Overall, this path can fit individuals who prefer hands-on, physically active work and want to build skills in the construction environment.
Helpers–carpenters earn a national median annual salary of $41,600. Pay can differ meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $46,060 in Washington to $50,900 in Colorado, with California at $49,890, Massachusetts at $48,130, and New York at $47,740. At the metro level, some areas stand out for higher pay. The Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA, metro shows a median salary of $64,810, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, reports $62,370. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ, metro has a median salary of $48,850, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV, sits at $44,380 and Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA, at $46,060. These differences indicate that earnings can be significantly higher in some coastal and large metropolitan markets compared with the national median, which may influence where workers choose to pursue opportunities.
This occupation has national employment of 25,000 helpers–carpenters, with projected employment growth of 4.5%. The projection suggests that the field is expected to expand rather than contract over the projection period. About 3,000 annual openings indicate ongoing demand created by a combination of new positions and replacement of workers who leave the occupation. This balance of growth and openings can provide multiple entry points for new workers, including students, career changers, and experienced tradespeople moving into helper roles. The consistent 4.5% growth rate shown across the highlighted states and metro areas underscores a generally similar growth expectation in those regions. For individuals willing to enter a physically active trade role that emphasizes mechanical, problem-solving, and practical skills, the outlook numbers point to a steady pipeline of opportunities, both nationally and in several key states and metropolitan areas.
Location can make a substantial difference for helpers–carpenters. Among states with top CareerGPS opportunity scores, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $49,890, and employment of 2,670. Massachusetts and New York follow closely, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $48,130 and $47,740, respectively. Colorado and Washington also appear as strong options, with Colorado offering the highest listed state median salary at $50,900. At the metro level, New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ, stands out with the highest opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $48,850, and employment of 1,360. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, show notably higher median salaries of $64,810 and $62,370. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV, and Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA, round out the top metros, combining solid opportunity scores with mid-40s salary levels, giving workers several distinct geographic choices.
Helpers–carpenters typically enter the occupation with no formal educational credential. This lowers the barrier to entry for people who want to move directly into the workforce, including recent high school graduates or adults changing careers. Even without a formal education requirement, the role draws on a wide set of abilities. Physical strength and stamina are important, as the work can be demanding and hands-on. Mechanical skills, fine motor abilities, and being detail oriented support accuracy and quality in daily tasks. Mathematics and science can contribute to understanding measurements, materials, and basic construction-related concepts. Problem solving and decision making are useful when addressing on-the-job issues, while customer service helps in interacting with clients or homeowners. Leadership skills can become more important over time, especially for helpers who advance to coordinating or guiding others. Developing these skills can improve job performance and support long-term growth in the broader construction trades.
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