72310 – Carpenters
Lead statement
Carpenters construct, erect, install, maintain and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main duties
- Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements
- Prepare layouts in conformance to building codes, using measuring tools
- Measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials
- Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring and erect walls and roof systems
- Fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, moulding and hardware
- Maintain, repair and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants and other establishments
- Supervise apprentices and other construction workers
- May prepare cost estimates for clients.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program ora combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in carpentry is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification for carpenters is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
- Trade certification for framers is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified carpenters upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Example job titles
access floor specialist carpenter · apprentice carpenter · apprentice boat carpenter · boatbuilding apprentice · boat carpenter · ship joiner · bridge carpenter · building carpenter · construction carpenter · carpenter · carpenter-joiner · carpenter lead hand · building addition carpenter · maintenance carpenter · manufactured house carpenter · prefabricated structure carpenter · railway rolling stock carpenter · renovation carpenter · carpenter rough · rough carpenter · stage carpenter · studio carpenter · carpentry repairman/woman · concrete forms carpenter · dock carpenter · finish carpenter · floor systems carpenter · form builder - carpentry · form carpenter · framer-carpenter · framing carpenter · house carpenter · interior finish carpenter · interior trimmer carpenter · railway rolling stock joiner · shipbuilding joiner · journeyman/woman carpenter · log home builder · log home carpenter · mill carpenter
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $22.00 | $32.12 | $44.23 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $27.00 | $39.27 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.00 | $25.00 | $33.80 |
| New Brunswick | $18.00 | $24.00 | $34.00 |
| Quebec | $24.61 | $36.84 | $44.00 |
| Ontario | $22.00 | $32.00 | $48.00 |
| Manitoba | $20.00 | $27.00 | $38.99 |
| Saskatchewan | $19.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 |
| Alberta | $22.22 | $34.00 | $42.00 |
| British Columbia | $23.00 | $32.00 | $43.71 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.