How to Become a Carpenter in Michigan (2026)
Michigan employs about 18,590 carpenters earning a median $61,680 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most carpenters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Michigan.
Compare Carpenter Schools in Michigan
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern Michigan College | 59.8 | $5,860 in-state / $13,476 out-of-state | $58,811 | 25% | Yes* | 211 mi |
| 2 | Columbus State Community College | 56.1 | $5,488 in-state / $11,224 out-of-state | $52,681 | 28% | Yes* | 163 mi |
| 3 | Macomb Community College | 51.8 | $3,660 in-state / $8,370 out-of-state | $50,529 | 18% | Yes* | 13 mi |
| 4 | Oakland Community College | 48.9 | $3,020 in-state / $5,560 out-of-state | $53,677 | 21% | Yes* | 24 mi |
| 5 | Southwestern Michigan College | 48.6 | $6,417 in-state / $8,394 out-of-state | $46,001 | 38% | Yes* | 158 mi |
| 6 | Lansing Community College | 48.5 | $4,100 in-state / $11,300 out-of-state | $56,314 | 25% | Yes* | 82 mi |
| 7 | Cuyahoga Community College District | 47.6 | $3,249 in-state / $7,249 out-of-state | $49,698 | 31% | Yes* | 91 mi |
| 8 | Indiana County Technology Center | 45.5 | Contact school for pricing | $40,623 | 71% | — | 234 mi |
| 9 | Community College of Allegheny County | 40.9 | $4,842 in-state / $12,583 out-of-state | $54,519 | 24% | Yes* | 204 mi |
| 10 | Triangle Tech Inc-Pittsburgh | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | $41,698 | Not reported | — | 203 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.
Michigan employs approximately 18,590 carpenters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,680 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 Michigan, 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 (Michigan): $61,680 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Carpenter in Michigan
How to become a Carpenter in Michigan? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for carpenters in Michigan.
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 Michigan? The median annual wage for carpenters in Michigan is $61,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,550 and experienced professionals can earn $81,860 or more 1.
How to Become a Carpenter in Michigan
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Michigan’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Mott Community College - Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 1401 E. Court St., Flint, MI 48503-2089
- Phone: (810) 762-0200
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Michigan
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, carpenters working on federally funded construction projects in Michigan earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Michigan general wage determinations show approximately $36.76 per hour in base pay plus $21.11 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $57.87 (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.
Carpenter Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), carpenters wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 7,610 | $65,810 | $66,770 | $47,560 | $82,790 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 2,840 | $59,000 | $58,260 | $41,680 | $75,900 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 1,120 | $64,270 | $62,800 | $46,960 | $78,160 |
| Ann Arbor | 640 | $65,170 | $66,750 | $46,500 | $83,500 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 500 | $61,690 | $61,930 | $45,090 | $78,710 |
| Traverse City | 420 | $59,230 | $56,620 | $43,700 | $70,720 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 410 | $61,060 | $59,030 | $40,100 | $78,530 |
| Flint | 330 | $61,360 | $60,780 | $45,890 | $77,800 |
| Saginaw | 320 | $62,240 | $60,850 | $44,030 | $76,710 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 260 | $91,970 | $79,860 | $49,910 | $91,980 |
| Midland | 250 | $63,380 | $59,760 | $37,470 | $77,430 |
| Niles | 180 | $54,620 | $56,480 | $42,540 | $75,140 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 140 | $48,830 | $52,640 | $42,020 | $64,610 |
| Battle Creek | 130 | $62,140 | $62,190 | $44,580 | $77,800 |
| Jackson | 130 | $56,160 | $57,770 | $45,280 | $75,600 |
| Monroe | 90 | $59,750 | $56,810 | $39,910 | $70,920 |
| Bay City | 80 | $55,520 | $56,740 | $40,230 | $79,280 |
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 Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 18,590 carpenters 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan. You can also contact the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do carpenters earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for carpenters in Michigan is $61,680, which is $2,370 above the national median of $59,310 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Michigan
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Workforce Development - 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) |