Best Carpenter Schools in Kansas (2026)

Compare accredited Carpenter schools across Kansas below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.

Sponsored - request program info.

Best Carpenter Schools in Kansas

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

Salina Area Technical College

Salina, KS In-state option BOC Score 78.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 69.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 36
  • Annual completions: 908
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $45,249 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Washburn Institute of Technology

Topeka, KS In-state option BOC Score 71.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 65.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 54
  • Annual completions: 1756
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,774 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Manhattan Area Technical College

Manhattan, KS In-state option BOC Score 58.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 70.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 26
  • Annual completions: 607
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,918 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, KS In-state option BOC Score 57.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 49.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 65
  • Annual completions: 1994
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $49,591 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Garden City Community College

Garden City, KS In-state option BOC Score 56.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 45.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 25
  • Annual completions: 675
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $45,949 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Neosho County Community College

Chanute, KS In-state option BOC Score 55.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 36.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 42
  • Annual completions: 886
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,338 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Wichita, KS In-state option BOC Score 54.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 50
  • Annual completions: 3158
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,431 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Cowley County Community College

Arkansas City, KS In-state option BOC Score 52.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 46.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 34
  • Annual completions: 861
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $42,324 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Compare Carpenter Schools in Kansas

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Kansas.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
178.9Contact school for pricing$45,24970%Yes*In-state
271.0Contact school for pricing$56,77466%Yes*In-state
366.7Contact school for pricingNot reportedNot reportedYes*In-state
460.9Contact school for pricingNot reportedNot reportedIn-state
558.6Contact school for pricing$57,91870%In-state
657.3Contact school for pricing$49,59149%Yes*In-state
756.0Contact school for pricing$45,94946%Yes*In-state
855.0Contact school for pricing$55,33836%Yes*In-state
954.7Contact school for pricing$47,431Not reportedYes*In-state
1052.2Contact school for pricing$42,32446%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the main population center in Kansas are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Kansas is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Median Graduate Earnings at Carpenter Schools in Kansas
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Carpenter Schools in Kansas (2026) (College Scorecard)Manhattan Area Technical College $57918; Washburn Institute of Technology $56774; Neosho County Community College $55338; Hutchinson Community College $49591; Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology $47431; Garden City Community College $45949.Manhattan Area Technical Col...$57,918Washburn Institute of Techno...$56,774Neosho County Community Coll...$55,338Hutchinson Community College$49,591Wichita State University-Cam...$47,431Garden City Community College$45,949
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Carpenter Schools in Kansas (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Manhattan Area Technical College$57,918
Washburn Institute of Technology$56,774
Neosho County Community College$55,338
Hutchinson Community College$49,591
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology$47,431
Garden City Community College$45,949

Carpenter Pay and Job Outlook

Carpenters annual wage by percentile: $40,410 at the 10th percentile, $60,580 median, $99,910 at the 90th. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
What carpenters earn across the pay scale
Projected job growth for carpenters: 959,000 jobs in 2024 to 1,002,100 in 2034, +4.5% change. Source: U.S. BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034.
Projected job growth for carpenters
Top-paying states for carpenters - Hawaii leads at $85,280. Source: U.S. BLS OEWS, May 2025 release.
Top-paying states for carpenters

Kansas Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$56,960BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment5,210 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient0.84BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate3.5%BLS LAUS (2024)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage$22.6/hr ($18.74 base + $3.86 fringe)DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026

Top Cities for Carpenter Training in Kansas

The cities below have the highest concentration of carpenter training programs and population centers within Kansas. Click through for school listings near each:

Steps to Become a Carpenter in Kansas

  1. Choose an accredited training path. Options include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
  2. Complete classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
  3. Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
  4. Pass any required state or local exam.
  5. Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.

Apprenticeship Programs in Kansas

In Kansas, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the Kansas Registered Apprenticeship (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor). Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, typically over 3 to 5 years.

About Carpenter Careers in Kansas

Carpenters construct, install, and repair building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.

In Kansas, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $56,960, about 5,210 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 0.84 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Career outlook varies by region and specialization. Refer to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for national projections and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the latest state and metropolitan area data.

Carpenter Wages and Workforce in Kansas

In Kansas, Carpenter programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $56,960 per year, and most earn between $38,860 and $88,090 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Kansas employs roughly 5,210 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.84 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Trade-relevant schools serving Kansas include Salina Area Technical College, Washburn Institute of Technology, and Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Carpenter Training and Licensing in Kansas

Licensing for Carpenter varies by state and locality. Confirm current training, exam, and credential requirements with the appropriate Kansas licensing board before you enroll; many employers also look for recognized industry certifications.

Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does carpenter training in Kansas involve?

Carpenter training in Kansas is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.

How much do carpenters earn in Kansas?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), carpenters in Kansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,960. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $38,860 to $88,090 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

What is the Kansas license or certification process for carpenters?

Licensing for carpenter work is handled at the state level in Kansas. Consult Kansas's licensing board for current training, examination, and renewal requirements before enrolling in a program.


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)