Best Carpenter Schools in Virginia (2026)
Virginia Quick Facts
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State median annual wage | $55,690 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| State employment | 20,460 workers | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| State location quotient | 1.16 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| State unemployment rate | 3.2% | BLS LAUS (2024) |
| Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage | $15.6/hr ($15.6 base + $0.0 fringe) | DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026 |
Top Cities for Carpenter Training in Virginia
The cities below have the highest concentration of carpenter training programs and population centers within Virginia. Click through for school listings near each:
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Richmond, Virginia
- Roanoke, Virginia
- Charlottesville, Virginia
- Lynchburg, Virginia
- Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Blacksburg, Virginia
- Staunton, Virginia
- Winchester, Virginia
Steps to Become a Carpenter in Virginia
- Choose an accredited training path. Options include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
- Complete classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
- Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
- Pass any required state or local exam.
- Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required by the state.
Apprenticeship Programs in Virginia
In Virginia, registered apprenticeships are coordinated through the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry - 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 Virginia
Carpenters construct, install, and repair building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.
In Virginia, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $55,690, about 20,460 workers in the occupation, a location quotient of 1.16 (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.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.