How to Become a Carpenter in Rhode Island (2026)
Rhode Island employs about 2,580 carpenters earning a median $60,840 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most carpenters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Rhode Island.
Compare Carpenter Schools in Rhode Island
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Bennet Street School | 65.8 | Contact school for pricing | $57,182 | 90% | — | 42 mi |
| 2 | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | 65.4 | $8,772 in-state / $12,762 out-of-state | $56,927 | 45% | Yes* | 183 mi |
| 3 | Johnson College | 61.2 | $21,225 | $51,602 | 55% | — | 220 mi |
| 4 | Burlington County Institute of Technology-Adult Education | 61.2 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 84% | — | 217 mi |
| 5 | Orleans Technical College | 60.4 | Contact school for pricing | $48,804 | 90% | — | 223 mi |
| 6 | Ocean County Vocational-Technical School | 59.5 | Contact school for pricing | $42,510 | 65% | — | 193 mi |
| 7 | Mohawk Valley Community College | 55.3 | $6,218 in-state / $8,851 out-of-state | $45,913 | 38% | Yes* | 212 mi |
| 8 | Hudson County Community College | 38.8 | $5,384 in-state / $9,248 out-of-state | $44,020 | 26% | Yes* | 157 mi |
| 9 | Philadelphia Technician Training | 19.7 | Contact school for pricing | $33,267 | 50% | — | 230 mi |
| 10 | Triangle Tech Inc-Bethlehem | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | $55,189 | 77% | — | 224 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.
Rhode Island employs approximately 2,580 carpenters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,840 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 Rhode Island, 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 (Rhode Island): $60,840 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Carpenter in Rhode Island
How to become a Carpenter in Rhode Island? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for carpenters in Rhode Island.
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 Rhode Island? The median annual wage for carpenters in Rhode Island is $60,840 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,840 and experienced professionals can earn $89,670 or more 1.
How to Become a Carpenter in Rhode Island
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Rhode Island’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
- Address: 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-0943
- Phone: (401) 462-8536
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Rhode Island
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, carpenters working on federally funded construction projects in Rhode Island earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Rhode Island general wage determinations show approximately $47.88 per hour in base pay plus $30.50 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $78.38 (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.
Carpenter Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), carpenters wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | 4,140 | $61,910 | $69,020 | $47,500 | $100,710 |
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 Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 2,580 carpenters 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Rhode Island? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Rhode Island. You can also contact the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do carpenters earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for carpenters in Rhode Island is $60,840, which is $1,530 above the national median of $59,310 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Rhode Island
Top local programs
- Best Carpenter Schools in Central Falls, Rhode Island (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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/apprenticeship/ ↩︎
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) |