How to Become a Carpenter in Nevada (2026)
Nevada employs about 12,700 carpenters earning a median $62,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most carpenters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Nevada.
Compare Carpenter Schools in Nevada
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College of the Canyons | 60.9 | $1,166 in-state / $10,958 out-of-state | $64,248 | 45% | — | 228 mi |
| 2 | Rio Hondo College | 59.2 | $1,388 in-state / $9,884 out-of-state | $55,379 | 25% | Yes* | 221 mi |
| 3 | Yavapai College | 57.1 | $2,948 in-state / $9,486 out-of-state | $57,288 | 34% | Yes* | 188 mi |
| 4 | Santiago Canyon College | 56.1 | $1,164 in-state / $9,612 out-of-state | $55,988 | 48% | — | 221 mi |
| 5 | Palomar College | 55.8 | $1,354 in-state / $10,650 out-of-state | $82,130 | 38% | Yes* | 239 mi |
| 6 | Fullerton College | 52.2 | $1,150 in-state / $12,379 out-of-state | $52,754 | 34% | — | 223 mi |
| 7 | College of Southern Nevada | 46.6 | $4,358 in-state / $13,024 out-of-state | $51,080 | 19% | Yes* | 5 mi |
| 8 | Long Beach City College | 43.6 | $1,556 in-state / $12,544 out-of-state | $51,407 | 30% | — | 238 mi |
| 9 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College | 34.6 | $1,238 in-state / $10,572 out-of-state | $46,673 | 35% | — | 230 mi |
| 10 | Bakersfield College | 24.0 | $1,430 in-state / $11,300 out-of-state | $51,238 | 21% | — | 221 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.
Nevada employs approximately 12,700 carpenters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,380 1. The state’s concentration of carpenter jobs is 1.90x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Nevada, 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 (Nevada): $62,380 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Carpenter in Nevada
How to become a Carpenter in Nevada? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for carpenters in Nevada.
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 Nevada? The median annual wage for carpenters in Nevada is $62,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $41,670 and experienced professionals can earn $102,360 or more 1.
How to Become a Carpenter in Nevada
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Nevada’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Office of the Labor Commissioner
- Address: 3340 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89102
- Phone: (702) 486-2650
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Nevada
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, carpenters working on federally funded construction projects in Nevada earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Nevada general wage determinations show approximately $50.77 per hour in base pay plus $28.28 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $79.05 (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 Nevada
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Nevada
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), carpenters wages in Nevada vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas | 9,310 | $62,380 | $69,690 | $41,430 | $102,910 |
| Reno | 2,750 | $62,350 | $67,270 | $44,920 | $96,900 |
| Carson City | 100 | $63,660 | $74,380 | $48,830 | $103,930 |
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 Nevada? Nevada currently employs approximately 12,700 carpenters 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Nevada? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Nevada. You can also contact the Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do carpenters earn in Nevada compared to the national average? The median annual wage for carpenters in Nevada is $62,380, which is $3,070 above the national median of $59,310 according to BLS data 1.
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In Nevada
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner: http://owinn.nv.gov/Apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Home/ ↩︎
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) |