Carpentry

What Carpenters Do
Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.

Work Environment

Carpenters work indoors and outdoors on many types of construction projects, from installing kitchen cabinets to building highways and bridges.

How to Become a Carpenter

Carpenters typically learn on the job and through apprenticeships.

If you are looking for a school in Texas that can give you relevant qualifications, here they are:

Texas Carpenters and Millwrights Training Trust Fund
1825 S IH 35, Austin, TX 78741
Phone: 512-236-9165; Fax: 512-236-9166; Email: paul.jones@tcmttf.com
Houston School of Carpentry
3522 Polk St. Houston, TX 77003
Phone: (713) 322-7492; email: info@housoc.com
Amarillo Carpenters Training Center – Local 665
702 South Madison Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79101 US
Phone: (806) 373-4574; Fax: (806) 374-4437
Construction Trade School (CTS)
2101 Midway Rd Suite 200, Carrollton TX 75006
Phone: (469) 389-0663
Houston Carpenters and Millwrights Joint Apprenticeship Training Center
8505 Glenvista Street, Houston, TX 77061 US
Phone: (713) 641-0275; Fax: (713) 641-0610
Local 1266 Apprenticeship & Journeyman Training Center
1825 S. Interstate 35, Austin, TX 78741 US
Phone: (512) 236-9165; Fax: (512) 236-9166
North Texas Carpenters and Millwrights Training Center
1901 Susan Drive, Arlington, TX 76010 US
Phone: (817) 640-8825; Fax: (817) 640-9217
San Antonio Training Center
5747 Grey Rock Dr., San Antonio, TX 78228 US
Phone: (512) 236-9165; Fax: (512) 236-9166

Universities and Colleges that Offer Degree Programs

Certificate and associate degree programs are also being offered by a community college or university in Texas. Below is the list. Each school has a unique curriculum covering a wide range of topics. If you decided to take the training from them, here are the schools:

Lee College
Location: 200 Lee Drive, Baytown, TX 77520
Mailing: P.O. Box 818 Baytown, TX 77522-0818
Main: 281.427.5611; 800.621.8724
Austin Community College District
5930 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin, Texas 78752
Phone: 512-223-4636
Laredo Community College
South Campus: 5500 South Zapata Highway, Laredo, TX 78046
Phone: 956.794.4000
Fort McIntosh Campus: West End Washington Street, Laredo, TX 78040
Phone: 956.722.0521
Vista College
6101 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79925
Phone: 1(866) 442-4197
Midland College
3600 N. Garfield, Midland, TX 79705
Phone: (432) 685-45005
Texarkana College
2500 North Robison Road, Texarkana, Texas 75599
Phone: +1 (903) 823-3456
Everest Institute-Bissonnet
9700 Bissonnet St-Ste 1400, Houston TX, 77036
Phone: 714-000-0000
Central Texas College
P.O. Box 1800, Killeen, TX 76540-1800
1-800-223-4760; 1-800-792-3348; Office: 254-526-1345
Houston Community College
3100 Main Street, Houston TX 77002
Phone: 713.718.2000
Texas State Technical College
3801 Campus Drive, Waco, Texas 76705
Phone: 254-799-3611
Coastal Bend College
3800 Charco Road, Beeville, TX, 78102
1-866-722-2838
704 Coyote Trail, Alice, TX, 78332
1-866-891-2981
1814 Brahma Blvd., Kingsville, TX, 78363
1-866-262-1615
1411 Bensdale, Pleasanton, TX, 78064
1-866-361-4222

For Woodworking Class, here are the vocational schools:

If your inclination is toward woodworking and you are looking for a class to enroll in, here are the schools where you can take a class:

Ploughshare Institute
608 Dry Creek Rd., Waco, Texas 76705
877-392-6920; 254-754-9620; info@sustainlife.org
Austin School of Furniture & Design
3508 E. Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78702
website: austinschooloffurniture.com

How to Choose a Trade School to Take the Carpentry Training

Offers job placement assistance. Enroll in a program offered by a school close to industry connection to increase your employment prospects. This school keeps a record of companies requiring talented individuals to be part of the workforce.
Find a school accepting monthly payment plans if you don’t have the upfront cash to pay the tuition in full. The school usually has a flexible payment scheme, you just have to inquire about what they can offer to you.
Find a school that offers the program in current building codes and practical training with plans of actual buildings.
Enroll in a program with mathematics as part of the training curriculum to prepare you for possible advancement as a supervisor or foreman. It also provides you with the fundamentals necessary to understand the design behind current construction methods.
Last but definitely not least, enroll in a program with a strong emphasis on workplace health and safety and other specialized instruction on first aid, fire control and prevention, working at heights, emergency procedures, and other safety-related subjects.

Requirements to Become a Carpenter

Now that you know the steps you have to take to be a carpenter, you might ask, what are the minimum requirement need to attain?

The actual job demands vigorous exertion. You must be physically fit, be in good health condition and with a good sense of balance as the nature of the job demands it.
You must be able to work long hours per work shift. In many instances, you may be asked to render overtime. This means you have to work longer hours in different weather conditions.
You need to have the ability to handle work pressure. The job could be really stressful oftentimes.
You need to accept the fact that the nature of the job often involves safety risks, you are exposed to work hazards such as falling, slipping, injury from the use of tools, and other types of workplace hazards. Exposure to elements is also a risk if you primarily work outdoors.

While you may need also these requirements:

You need to have a high school diploma or a GED as its equivalent
Completion of apprenticeship training from a union or trade group
You need to be at least 18 years old of age in a hazardous environment

Carpentry Certifications in Texas

The state doesn’t require a carpenter to have certification or licensure to be qualified for the job. However, OSHA, as per their standard, requires candidates to take the 10- and 30-hour relevant safety training for woodworkers. This is to address the safety issues involving the use of power tools and other machinery while on the job and other health hazards. Please see the relevant OSHA regulation, CFR 1910.213, Woodworking Machinery Requirements.

Other OSHA standards that must be adhered to are as follows:

29 CFR Part 1926 - Construction Industry, Occupational Safety and Health, Protective Equipment
29 CFR 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards

Please be informed that state and OSHA regulations could change anytime, but as of this writing, these are what you or your employer has to comply to.

Taking the Carpentry Apprenticeship

If you would like to take the carpentry apprenticeship in Texas, the Texas Carpenters and Millwrights Training Trust Fund provides such a program. See their contact information above if you would like to enroll in their program.

The length of an apprenticeship program typically stretches for three (3) to four (4) years that covers 200 hours of classroom lectures and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. The topics usually covered in the program are basic to advance carpentry, mathematics, cost and material estimation, blueprint reading, building codes, proper use of tools and machinery, workplace health and safety, and other topics that may be deemed necessary.

You will receive a regular wage in a journey-level status. Being an apprentice is a great opportunity to learn practical skills and gain actual real-world experience while making a living.

Salary of Carpenters in Texas

After all that hard work, you are now asking how much pay you can get doing this job. If you will work in Texas, the average salary you could get is $60,680, this figure is according to the latest July 25, 2023 report of Salary.com but it usually ranges from $52,438 and $70,262 depending on some other factors.

The factors that affect your pay are the experience and skill you have as a carpenter, the city or town of the place of work, and additional certifications you have under your belt.

As you go along, you enhance your skill and ability, and you will earn the chance to advance to a mature role in the company which dictates a higher salary. For career advancement, carpenters who had acquired considerable experience in the field became independent contractors, while many enjoy varied employment opportunities.

The job outlook for carpenters is good.

Steady Demand: Carpenters remain in demand due to ongoing construction, renovations, and repairs.
Economic Sensitivity: The construction sector, where many carpenters are employed, can be impacted by economic fluctuations.
Green Building: Sustainable construction trends provide new opportunities for carpenters.
Technological Changes: While innovations like prefabrication affect carpentry, they don't necessarily reduce the need for skilled carpenters.
Aging Workforce: As older carpenters retire, opportunities for younger professionals may arise.
Training & Specialization: Specialized skills or training can offer better job prospects.
Regional Variations: Carpenter demand can differ based on local construction trends and growth.

Contacts:

Texas Workforce Commission
101 E 15th St, Rm 370, Austin, TX 78778-0001
512-463-2222; 800-832-2829

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
La Costa Green Bldg., 1033 La Posada Dr. Suite 375, Austin, Texas 78752-3832
(512) 374-0271; (512) 374-0086 FAX
17625 El Camino Real, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77058
(281) 286-0583; (281) 286-6352 FAX