Carpenter’s Ladder

“Doesn’t matter. Both ways are excellent paths.”

UNION

United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC)
101 Constitution Ave NW, Washington DC

(202-347-7871, www.carpenters.org)

• 450 Locals with 500,000 members (Free Training):
• Paid apprenticeship
• Classroom instruction
• On-the-job training

1. Go to: https://www.carpenters.org
2. Find: Your regional (“local”) branch.
3. Click: Regional Training Centers.
4. Click: “Nearest to You”
5. Find:  UBC Locals, Training Centers & Apprenticeship Program

Typical apprenticeship:

• 4 years
• Around 3 years (No Cost)
• Earn While Learn ($22-$30/hr)

Union Advantages

• Better benefits
• Retirement plan
• Health insurance,
• Higher hourly wages
• Steady work

Possible Pay

• Year 1 Apprentice ($22-38/hr)
• Year 2-3 Journeyman ($40-70/hr)

NON-UNION

Thousands of small, local companies hire beginners.

Non-Union Advantages:

• Start right away
• Easier to get hired
• Learn faster
• Less waiting
• Become a “Supervisor” (Project Manager) quicker
• Get a truck
• Be your own business.

CERTIFICATION

Usually: NO.
You simply work under experienced carpenters.
However, certifications help.

UNION (join)

• UBC Membership (if desired)

• Need & Costs

  • Apprenticeship Program
  • Sponsorship or 1,500 hours (qualified work)
  • $0 (initiation)
  • $25-$35 (monthly dues)

NON-UNION (get)

• OSHA 10 Construction Safety Card
• First Aid/CPR certification
• $105-$300 (one time, employers might pay)

$250-$400 Starts you. Don’t buy everything.
Buy only what your first employer expects.

Starter Kit(s)

A. (Beginner: $350-$500)
B. (Year 1: $600-$800)
C. (Year 2: $1,200+)
D. (Year 3: $3,000+)

A. BEGINNER: ($350-$500)

• Work Boots ($100-$140)
• Tool Belt ($60-$80)
• Hammer ($35-$50)
• Tape Measure ($20-$30)
• Pliers ($20-$30)
• Utility Knife ($15-$20)
• Drill Cordless($80-$120)
• Level($20-$30)

$350 – $500 (Total)

B. YEAR 1 APPRENTICE: ($700-$900)

• Beginner ($350-$500)
• Speed Square ($15-$20)
• Pencil/Markers ($10-$30)
• Safety Glasses ($20-$30)
• Hearing Protection ($30-$40)
• Impact Driver ($120-$150)
• Miscellaneous ($55-$160)

$6000 – $800 (Total)

C. YEAR 2 “JOURNEYMAN”: ($1,200+)

• Circular Saw ($180+)
• Miter Saw ($350+)
• Oscillating Tool ($150+)
• Finish Nailer ($250+)
• Compressor ($250+)

$1200+ (Total)

D. YEAR 3 “PROFESSIONAL” ($3K-$6K)

• Tools ($3,000-$6,000)
• Plus Truck (Used $300-$600/month)      

$3300+ Total

“Congratulations. You are now a Professional Carpenter…Now don’t fall off a ladder”

“Wood cannot read your résumé. It only responds to skill.”

Success comes from:

“Showing up every day… Being on time… Listening…
Asking questions…. Measuring twice… Cutting once…
Cleaning up… Keeping promises.”

“Best carpenters become problem solvers.
Not hammer swingers.”

‘Employers promote people who solve problems.
Not create them.’

MAKE MONEY: CARPENTER (3 Stages)

(Secrets no one tells you)

STAGE 1: $50,000-$100,000 (1-2 Years)

Position: Apprentice / Carpenter Helper

Money:

• $25-$40/hour
• 40-50 hour week
• Plus, Overtime, Side Jobs
• $50K-$100K

Typical Jobs (side):

• Framing
• Remodels
• Windows
• Doors
• Decks
• Flooring
• Trim
• Cabinets
• Roof framing

Side Money:

• $35/hour
• Each (above) side job bill $150-$1,000 (4-20 hrs)

STAGE 2: $100,000-$200,000 (2-3 Years)

“Now specialize! Specialists make more.”

SPECIALISTS (Examples)

• Finish Carpentry
• Luxury Kitchens
• Staircases
• Historic Restorations
• Commercial Interiors
• High End Cabinets
• Custom Homes
• ADUs, Pre-Fabs
• Garage Renovations

Jobs: Lead Carpenter

Work: 45 hours/week

Money:
$65/hour
$152,000/year
or
$100K-$150K/yr

STAGE 3: $300,000-$500,000 (3-5 Years)

“This usually means… You own the business.”
“More Money! More Responsibility!”

Example Business (1)

• Three crews.
• Each crew: 4 carpenters

Crew revenue

• $12,000/week
• Three crews: $36,000/week
• $1,800,000 Annual Revenue

Business Expenses

• Payroll & Taxes
• Insurance & Worker’s Compensation
• Vehicles & Fuel
• Tools & Materials
• Office, Staff & Advertising

Owner income: $300,000-$500,000

FYI: To be consistently profitable, keeping crews busy year-round, and managing costs… requires superb advertising & sales with strong estimating and management — not just carpentry skills.

Example Business (2)

• Custom Decks.
• $25,000 (Average job)
• $6,000 (Average job profit)
• Complete, 60 jobs/year
• $360,000

Example Business (3)

• Luxury kitchen remodels
• $80,000 (Average contract)
• $18,000 (Average job profit)
• Complete 20 projects/year
• $360,000

THE SECRETS

The richest carpenter usually isn’t the best carpenter. He’s the best:

• Estimator
• Salesperson
• Scheduler
• Leader
• Recruiter
• Customer-service expert
• Business owner

Swinging a hammer builds houses.
Organization builds wealth.

YOUR 5-YEAR ROADMAP

Year 1

• Learn every day.
• Earn $35K-$50K.
• Buy quality tools.
• Show up early.

Year 2

• Become a skilled carpenter.
• Earn $60K-$90K.
• Learn framing and finish work.
• Start building a portfolio of completed projects.

Year 3

• Specialize in high-value work.
• Earn $90K-$150K.
• Learn estimating, bidding, and project management.
• Build relationships with contractors and suppliers.

Year 4

• Lead a crew or launch your own company.
• Hire one or two employees.
• Earn $150K-$300K, depending on workload.

Year 5

• Operate multiple crews or focus on premium custom work.
• Develop repeat customers and referrals.
• A well-run business can produce $300K-$500K+ in income.

“College teaches many things.
Carpentry teaches one that matters.
You, because you built something real.”

If you’re dependable, willing to learn, and not afraid of an honest day’s work, carpentry provides:

• Little or no student debt.
• Skills that cannot be outsourced anywhere in the world.
• Satisfaction of creating something that lasts for decades.
• A realistic path from apprentice to business owner, with six-figure earnings for successful contractors who build and manage profitable companies.