How to Become a Carpenter in Indiana (2026)
Indiana employs about 15,240 carpenters earning a median $62,870 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most carpenters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Indiana.
Compare Carpenter Schools in Indiana
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus State Community College | 56.1 | $5,488 in-state / $11,224 out-of-state | $52,681 | 28% | Yes* | 169 mi |
| 2 | Owensboro Community and Technical College | 55.4 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $44,854 | 54% | Yes* | 150 mi |
| 3 | Maysville Community and Technical College | 52.5 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $42,970 | 56% | Yes* | 149 mi |
| 4 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College | 51.0 | $4,808 in-state / $6,512 out-of-state | $48,181 | 43% | Yes* | 150 mi |
| 5 | Jefferson Community and Technical College | 49.7 | $4,808 in-state / $6,512 out-of-state | $50,106 | 35% | Yes* | 107 mi |
| 6 | Ivy Tech Community College | 49.2 | $5,154 in-state / $9,935 out-of-state | $53,369 | 40% | Yes* | 2 mi |
| 7 | Southwestern Michigan College | 48.6 | $6,417 in-state / $8,394 out-of-state | $46,001 | 38% | Yes* | 152 mi |
| 8 | Vincennes University | 48.2 | $7,126 in-state / $16,858 out-of-state | $54,333 | 39% | Yes* | 104 mi |
| 9 | Parkland College | 40.9 | $4,284 in-state / $13,266 out-of-state | $47,315 | 32% | — | 116 mi |
| 10 | City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College | 37.3 | $4,590 in-state / $15,150 out-of-state | $43,247 | 31% | Yes* | 159 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location 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.
Indiana employs approximately 15,240 carpenters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,870 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 Indiana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Indiana): $62,870 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Carpenter in Indiana
How to become a Carpenter in Indiana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for carpenters in Indiana.
How long does it take? Most paths into the carpenter field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do carpenters earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for carpenters in Indiana is $62,870 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,510 and experienced professionals can earn $90,700 or more 1.
How to Become a Carpenter in Indiana
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Indiana training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Indiana that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to carpenters in Indiana before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Carpenter Apprenticeship Information in Indiana
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Ivy Technical College
- Address: 50 West Fall Creek Pkwy., Indianapolis, IN 46208
- Phone: (888) 489-5463
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Indiana
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, carpenters working on federally funded construction projects in Indiana earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Indiana general wage determinations show approximately $34.70 per hour in base pay plus $25.98 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $60.68 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 3.
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.
Carpenter Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), carpenters wages in Indiana 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 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 4,960 | $65,070 | $66,960 | $46,940 | $88,570 |
| Cincinnati | 4,610 | $60,110 | $62,110 | $44,180 | $79,750 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 2,990 | $56,520 | $57,480 | $38,980 | $75,360 |
| Fort Wayne | 1,240 | $60,400 | $60,940 | $44,790 | $77,130 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 1,170 | $65,520 | $70,910 | $44,800 | $100,890 |
| Evansville | 790 | $64,690 | $63,720 | $45,950 | $79,120 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 500 | $61,690 | $61,930 | $45,090 | $78,710 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 300 | $63,050 | $66,300 | $47,000 | $95,940 |
| Terre Haute | 280 | $60,560 | $61,880 | $38,950 | $80,610 |
| Bloomington | 270 | $61,360 | $61,800 | $46,940 | $77,530 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 260 | $91,970 | $79,860 | $49,910 | $91,980 |
| Columbus | 190 | $67,780 | $67,480 | $47,340 | $82,970 |
| Muncie | 160 | $59,890 | $58,780 | $42,200 | $74,280 |
| Kokomo | 120 | $61,000 | $66,080 | $43,150 | $95,000 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for carpenters in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 15,240 carpenters 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Indiana.
How much do carpenters earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for carpenters in Indiana is $62,870, which is $3,560 above the national median of $59,310 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |