How to Become a Carpenter in Virginia (2026)
Virginia employs about 20,460 carpenters earning a median $55,690 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most carpenters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Virginia.
Compare Carpenter Schools in Virginia
| # | 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% | — | 213 mi |
| 2 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | 67.0 | $9,050 | $57,788 | 71% | — | 221 mi |
| 3 | Cape Fear Community College | 57.9 | $2,748 in-state / $8,892 out-of-state | $48,346 | 34% | Yes* | 212 mi |
| 4 | Vance-Granville Community College | 57.2 | $1,944 in-state / $6,552 out-of-state | $47,633 | 53% | Yes* | 139 mi |
| 5 | Pamlico Community College | 52.5 | $1,867 in-state / $6,475 out-of-state | $32,918 | 54% | Yes* | 132 mi |
| 6 | Alamance Community College | 50.9 | $2,592 in-state / $8,736 out-of-state | $41,411 | 39% | Yes* | 196 mi |
| 7 | Delaware County Community College | 50.1 | $6,930 in-state / $15,540 out-of-state | $56,647 | 24% | Yes* | 218 mi |
| 8 | Fayetteville Technical Community College | 45.5 | $2,628 in-state / $8,772 out-of-state | $48,138 | 24% | Yes* | 206 mi |
| 9 | Bladen Community College | 35.7 | $2,618 in-state / $8,762 out-of-state | $46,043 | 23% | Yes* | 217 mi |
| 10 | Centura College-Norfolk | 25.5 | $16,637 | $37,316 | 73% | — | 15 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.
Virginia employs approximately 20,460 carpenters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $55,690 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 Virginia, 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 (Virginia): $55,690 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Carpenter in Virginia
How to become a Carpenter in Virginia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for carpenters in Virginia.
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 Virginia? The median annual wage for carpenters in Virginia is $55,690 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,230 and experienced professionals can earn $74,250 or more 1.
How to Become a Carpenter in Virginia
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Virginia’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: Division of Registered Apprenticeship, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
- Address: 6606 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230
- Phone: (804) 786-6030
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in Virginia
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, carpenters working on federally funded construction projects in Virginia earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Virginia general wage determinations show approximately $15.60 per hour in base pay plus $0.00 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $15.60 (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 Virginia
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), carpenters wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 13,280 | $60,800 | $66,790 | $47,150 | $90,590 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 4,020 | $51,500 | $54,350 | $38,940 | $73,460 |
| Richmond | 3,070 | $51,870 | $53,520 | $37,990 | $69,640 |
| Roanoke | 830 | $47,050 | $47,980 | $32,280 | $62,320 |
| Charlottesville | 630 | $56,090 | $55,930 | $40,110 | $72,800 |
| Lynchburg | 480 | $48,270 | $50,730 | $36,700 | $63,410 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 390 | $48,340 | $50,040 | $36,320 | $64,270 |
| Harrisonburg | 380 | $49,650 | $53,060 | $38,670 | $75,280 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 340 | $47,580 | $49,410 | $35,640 | $64,000 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 290 | $48,620 | $53,040 | $38,260 | $73,990 |
| Winchester | 270 | $50,180 | $53,410 | $38,300 | $74,720 |
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 Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 20,460 carpenters 1. Nationally, carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Virginia. You can also contact the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do carpenters earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for carpenters in Virginia is $55,690, which is $3,620 below the national median of $59,310 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Virginia
Top local programs
- Best Carpenter Schools in Alexandria, Virginia (2026)
- Best Carpenter Schools in Arlington, Virginia (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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.doli.virginia.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor-list/ ↩︎
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) |