How to Become a Carpenter in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania employs about 30,630 carpenters earning a median $59,370 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most carpenters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Pennsylvania.
Compare Carpenter Schools in Pennsylvania
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williamson College of the Trades | 81.5 | $31,611 | $79,194 | 83% | — | 14 mi |
| 2 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | 67.0 | $9,050 | $57,788 | 71% | — | 60 mi |
| 3 | Burlington County Institute of Technology-Adult Education | 61.2 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 84% | — | 19 mi |
| 4 | Orleans Technical College | 60.4 | Contact school for pricing | $48,804 | 90% | — | 12 mi |
| 5 | Ocean County Vocational-Technical School | 59.5 | Contact school for pricing | $42,510 | 65% | — | 52 mi |
| 6 | Delaware County Community College | 50.1 | $6,930 in-state / $15,540 out-of-state | $56,647 | 24% | Yes* | 12 mi |
| 7 | Berks Career & Technology Center | 44.8 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 62% | — | 54 mi |
| 8 | Philadelphia Technician Training | 19.7 | Contact school for pricing | $33,267 | 50% | — | 8 mi |
| 9 | Lehigh Career & Technical Institute | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | — | 54 mi |
| 10 | Triangle Tech Inc-Bethlehem | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | $55,189 | 77% | — | 50 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.
Pennsylvania employs approximately 30,630 carpenters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,370 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 Pennsylvania, 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 (Pennsylvania): $59,370 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Carpenter in Pennsylvania
How to become a Carpenter in Pennsylvania? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for carpenters in Pennsylvania.
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 Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for carpenters in Pennsylvania is $59,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,970 and experienced professionals can earn $92,110 or more 1.
How to Become a Carpenter in Pennsylvania
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Pennsylvania’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Apprenticeship and Training Office, PA Department of Labor and Industry
- Address: 1301 Labor and Industry Building, Harrisburg, PA 17121
- Phone: (800) 932-0665
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Pennsylvania
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, carpenters working on federally funded construction projects in Pennsylvania earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Pennsylvania general wage determinations show approximately $38.92 per hour in base pay plus $20.06 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $58.98 (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 Pennsylvania
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), carpenters wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 14,260 | $61,780 | $65,930 | $45,690 | $98,470 |
| Pittsburgh | 5,920 | $61,180 | $66,520 | $43,940 | $93,600 |
| Lancaster | 2,750 | $55,690 | $57,990 | $39,140 | $79,160 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,390 | $59,540 | $61,870 | $38,960 | $86,610 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 1,320 | $57,690 | $61,180 | $40,940 | $84,410 |
| York-Hanover | 1,190 | $61,160 | $67,470 | $45,760 | $96,190 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 1,070 | $60,240 | $62,010 | $38,640 | $81,290 |
| Reading | 760 | $54,930 | $56,560 | $37,540 | $79,000 |
| Erie | 530 | $56,850 | $58,100 | $36,380 | $76,090 |
| Altoona | 360 | $57,360 | $65,320 | $41,600 | $100,920 |
| State College | 350 | $55,690 | $60,990 | $39,340 | $81,710 |
| Lebanon | 310 | $55,760 | $57,340 | $46,400 | $77,720 |
| Chambersburg | 300 | $48,730 | $53,290 | $38,410 | $71,360 |
| Johnstown | 190 | $54,560 | $54,120 | $35,150 | $73,170 |
| Williamsport | 170 | $53,340 | $56,730 | $36,460 | $77,950 |
| Gettysburg | 150 | $48,640 | $51,990 | $26,450 | $72,340 |
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 Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 30,630 carpenters 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Pennsylvania. You can also contact the Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do carpenters earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for carpenters in Pennsylvania is $59,370, which is $60 above the national median of $59,310 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Pennsylvania
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- Best Carpenter Schools in Allentown, Pennsylvania (2026)
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Pennsylvania of Labor and Industry - 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) |