18 of the Best Types of Carpenter Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Carpenter jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Carpenter Jobs

• Senior Carpenter

  Salary range: $41,500 - $103,000

  Senior Carpenter is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Senior Carpenter jobs pay between $41,500 (25th percentile) and $103,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Carpenter job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Journeyman Carpenter

  Salary range: $52,500 - $68,500

  Qualifications for a journeyman carpenter role are a formal apprenticeship, a high school education, and work experience. You need a high school diploma or GED certificate as the basic educational requirement. A driver’s license is also often a prerequisite. Participation in a formal apprenticeship program, which can last between three and four years, followed by on-the-job experience where you will continue learning and applying your carpentry skills can also be required. You must also complete OSHA safety training courses for a career as a journeyman.

• Carpenter Per Diem

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  A per diem position is one in which you are paid per day (per diem is Latin for “per day”). As a per diem carpenter, you have the same duties and responsibilities as any other carpenter; the difference is only in your relationship to your employer. Rather than a full-time position with benefits, your pay is calculated on a per-day basis and your hours are determined by the needs of your employer and your own availability. The actual work of carpentry varies widely, but most usually involves projects related to the construction of houses or commercial structures. Within that, you may specialize more on rough framing, that is, installing the wood frames and joints of a building that will later be covered, or you may specialize in finish work, repairing, designing, or creating the finished spaces in which people will live or businesses may operate.

• Entry Level Carpenter

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  To become an entry-level carpenter, you need a high school diploma and experience as an apprentice. In some cases, the entry-level position may actually be the apprenticeship. Some trade schools provide classes to teach you technical skills and provide hands-on experience. You need a professional portfolio to demonstrate your skills. You must be proficient using carpentry equipment and tools, and you should know proper maintenance techniques. Other qualifications include the ability to interpret blueprints and sketches, strong knowledge of building materials, physical strength and dexterity, and awareness of industry safety standards.

• Carpenter Internship

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.

• Freelance Carpenter

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Temporary Carpenter

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Carpenter Manager

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Full Time Carpenter

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Independent Contractor Carpenter

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.

• 2Nd Shift Carpenter

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  The 2nd Shift is an evening or night shift. A 2nd Shift job refers to any job that requires employees to work after the first shift (traditionally 7 or 8 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m.) is finished. Second Shift usually means that you will work from 4 p.m. until midnight or 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Second Shift jobs are available in any career that needs coverage after traditional business hours. Some examples are medical careers, retail, and manufacturing.

• Summer Carpenter

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  Summer jobs are an integral part of American culture for students in their teens and beyond, but not all summer jobs are created equal. The difference between a great summer and an awful one can be the right job. According to Forbes, some good summer jobs for teens are camp counselor, golf caddy, nanny, food service, retail sales, and, of course, internships.

• Live In Carpenter

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  Live In Carpenter is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Live In Carpenter jobs pay between $43,500 (25th percentile) and $59,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Live In Carpenter job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Carpenter Temp

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  Carpenter Temp is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Carpenter Temp jobs pay between $43,500 (25th percentile) and $59,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Carpenter Temp job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• From Home Carpenter

  Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000

  From Home Carpenter is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for From Home Carpenter jobs pay between $43,500 (25th percentile) and $59,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for From Home Carpenter job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Junior Carpenter

  Salary range: $38,500 - $52,000

  Junior Carpenter is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Junior Carpenter jobs pay between $38,500 (25th percentile) and $52,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Carpenter job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Apprentice Carpenter

  Salary range: $36,000 - $48,000

  Apprentice Carpenter must earn a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible for apprenticeships. You also need to have good math skills, familiarity with hand and power tools, and physical stamina. Some apply for apprenticeships right out of high school, while others complete a carpentry certificate program at a vocational school to learn basic industry techniques before entering an apprenticeship program. Carpentry apprenticeships are available from some carpentry organizations and various carpenter unions. During your program, you complete both classroom instruction and on-the-job training to learn specific skills such as how to read a blueprint, measure and cut wood, and assemble parts for different types of jobs. After three to four years, you may take a state licensing exam and become a fully qualified carpenter.

• Union Carpenter

  Salary range: $31,000 - $33,000

  To become a Union Carpenter, you must first become an Apprentice Carpenter. The United Brotherhood Carpenters will offer apprentice training programs for aspiring Carpenters to start their productive careers. Training consists of hands-on experience with professional Union Carpenters and can guarantee construction work during that time. Some offer international training as well. Unions require a set number of hours as an apprentice worker to be qualified as a Carpenter.