How to Become A Carpenter in Illinois
Illinois employs approximately 19,570 carpenters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $79,000 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 74,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a carpenter in Illinois, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Carpenter in Illinois
How do I become a carpenter in Illinois? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for carpenters in Illinois.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do carpenters earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for carpenters in Illinois is $79,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,890 and experienced professionals can earn $117,660 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Illinois): $79,000 per year 1
Carpenter Apprenticeship Information in Illinois
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Illinois’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: BEST, Inc
- Address: 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348
- Phone: (815) 224-0375
- Email: [email protected]
Carpenter Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), carpenters wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 14,220 | $80,440 | $83,110 | $41,220 | $118,450 |
| St. Louis | 7,210 | $70,990 | $71,600 | $45,000 | $99,550 |
| Rockford | 810 | $72,770 | $75,240 | $46,470 | $104,360 |
| Peoria | 780 | $75,280 | $74,600 | $42,440 | $105,440 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 670 | $60,440 | $62,600 | $39,520 | $91,550 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 310 | $66,980 | $69,630 | $42,960 | $100,040 |
| Paducah | 310 | $51,700 | $54,330 | $36,340 | $73,320 |
| Springfield | 290 | $76,970 | $72,180 | $43,660 | $97,940 |
| Decatur | 180 | $87,220 | $88,510 | $50,050 | $118,460 |
| Cape Girardeau | 180 | $63,740 | $65,450 | $43,160 | $90,980 |
| Bloomington | 170 | $75,470 | $74,110 | $47,050 | $103,240 |
| Kankakee | 120 | $95,280 | $82,070 | $47,730 | $98,880 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Carpenters in Illinois
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest carpenter employment within Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 14,220 | $80,440 |
| Rockford | 810 | $72,770 |
| Peoria | 780 | $75,280 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 310 | $66,980 |
| Springfield | 290 | $76,970 |
Explore carpenter programs in Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Illinois
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, carpenters working on federally funded construction projects in Illinois earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Illinois general wage determinations show approximately $31.39 per hour in base pay plus $25.99 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $57.38 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 4.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within carpenter work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for carpenters in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 19,570 carpenters 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Illinois. You can also contact the Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do carpenters earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for carpenters in Illinois is $79,000, which is $19,690 above the national median of $59,310 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
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/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Illinois Department of Employment Services - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |