How to Become A Carpenter in Virginia
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.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Carpenter in Virginia
How do I 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 take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an 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.
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
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]
Carpenter Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Carpenters in Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest carpenter employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 4,020 | $51,500 |
| Richmond | 3,070 | $51,870 |
| Roanoke | 830 | $47,050 |
| Charlottesville | 630 | $56,090 |
| Lynchburg | 480 | $48,270 |
Explore carpenter programs in Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Roanoke.
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.
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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 accredited 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.
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) |