Key Points

• What is a Carpenter? A carpenter is a skilled tradesperson who constructs, installs, erects, and repairs structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials.
• How to become a Carpenter in Wisconsin? To become a carpenter in Wisconsin, typically you need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by completing a registered carpenter apprenticeship program (usually 4 years), which combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
• Length of training for Carpenter: A Wisconsin carpenter apprenticeship typically lasts 4 years.
• Average Carpenter salary in Wisconsin: The average salary for carpenters in Wisconsin is approximately $65,150 per year ($31.32 per hour) as of May 2023 BLS data.
• Number of employment of Carpenters in Wisconsin: There are approximately 19,100 carpenters employed in Wisconsin as of May 2023 BLS data.

What is a Carpenter? What does a Carpenter do?

Carpenters are essential skilled craftspeople in the construction industry, shaping the world around us using wood and other building materials. They follow blueprints and building plans to construct, install, and repair frameworks, structures, and fixtures.

Key responsibilities often include:

• Reading and interpreting blueprints, drawings, and sketches.
• Taking measurements and calculating the size and amount of material needed.
• Cutting, shaping, and joining wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass, or drywall using hand and power tools.
• Building or repairing frameworks for buildings, including walls, floors, and doorframes.
• Installing structures and fixtures, such as windows, doors, stairs, molding, and hardware.
• Inspecting and replacing damaged framework or other structures and fixtures.
• Following established safety rules and regulations.

Where Do Carpenters Work?

Carpenters work across various sectors of the construction industry in Wisconsin. Common work environments include:

• Residential Construction: Building and remodeling houses, apartments, and condominiums. This includes framing, installing cabinetry, drywall, and finish trim.
• Commercial Construction: Working on larger projects like office buildings, schools, hospitals, retail centers, and hotels. Tasks can involve concrete forms, interior systems, and heavy framing.
• Industrial Construction: Building scaffolding, concrete forms, and supports for industrial facilities like power plants or manufacturing sites.
• Specialized Shops: Some carpenters work in workshops specializing in cabinetmaking, furniture building, or custom millwork.
• Maintenance Departments: Employed by large organizations (like universities or government agencies) to maintain and repair building structures.

The work often involves physical labor, working indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions, and sometimes working at heights.

Requirements to Become a Carpenter in Wisconsin

To begin a career as a carpenter in Wisconsin, you generally need to meet these criteria:

• Age: Be at least 18 years old.
• Education: Possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Courses in math, shop, and drafting are helpful.
• Physical Fitness: Have the physical stamina to handle demanding tasks, lift heavy materials, and work in various conditions.
• Driver's License: A valid driver's license is often required for transportation to different job sites.
• Apprenticeship Eligibility: Meet the requirements set by specific apprenticeship programs (which may include passing aptitude tests or interviews).

How to Become a Carpenter in Wisconsin?

The most common and recommended path to becoming a skilled carpenter in Wisconsin is through a registered apprenticeship program. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:

1. Meet the Basic Requirements

Ensure you meet the minimum qualifications: be 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. Strong math skills and mechanical aptitude are beneficial. You'll also need reliable transportation to get to job sites and classes.

2. Enroll in a Carpenter Apprenticeship Program

Apprenticeship is the cornerstone of becoming a journey-level carpenter in Wisconsin. These programs are typically sponsored by joint committees representing unions (like the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters) and contractor associations.

• Duration: Most Wisconsin carpenter apprenticeships last 4 years.
• Structure: They combine paid, full-time on-the-job training (around 2,000 hours per year) under the supervision of experienced journey workers with related classroom instruction (at least 144 hours per year).
• How to Apply: Contact local union halls, contractor associations, or the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards for information on applying to open programs.

3. Complete Your Apprenticeship Training (Earn Your Certification)

During your apprenticeship, you will learn various aspects of the trade, including safety, blueprint reading, tool use, framing, concrete forms, interior systems, and finish carpentry. Successfully completing all required on-the-job hours and classroom instruction leads to journey-level status, which is the primary carpenter certification in the skilled trades.

How to Get a Carpenter Certification in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, the "certification" for a carpenter is typically the Certificate of Apprenticeship Completion issued by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development upon finishing a registered apprenticeship program. This signifies you have met the state and industry standards to work as a qualified journey-level carpenter. There isn't a separate state license required just to work as a carpenter employee.

4. Apply for Carpenter Jobs

While apprentices are already employed during training, journey-level carpenters can seek different opportunities. Use resources like union job boards, construction company websites, and general job sites. MyNextMove.org, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, is a great tool. Search for "Carpenters" to find detailed information about the job in Wisconsin, including skills needed, salary expectations, and links to local job postings.

How to Get a Carpenter Job in Wisconsin?

Highlight your journey-level certification, apprenticeship experience, and specific skills (framing, finish work, etc.) on your resume. Leverage connections made during your apprenticeship. If you trained through a union, the union hall is a primary resource for finding work with signatory contractors. For non-union roles, directly applying to construction companies or using online job boards is effective.

5. Continue Learning and Specialization

Construction techniques and materials evolve. Journey-level carpenters should pursue continuing education through union training centers or technical colleges to stay current. You might specialize in areas like green construction, specific types of finish work, or eventually move into roles like foreman, superintendent, or even start your own contracting business (which would require state contractor licensing).