Can you remember the day you built something with your own hands for the last time? However, throughout the world carpenters earn money by woodworking using their carpentry tools and it is an active way to make a living. Further, carpentry is an old profession that holds a long history of thousands of years. Indeed, in the beginning, fixing carts, Barnes, and wagons were the main tasks. But with the time carpentry has developed until they have focused on finishing trim and cabinets, framing houses, building huge ships, developing theatrical items for entertainment, and doing many other types of carpentry jobs. Accordingly, the carpentry job market in the present is now expanded across a wide area offering various types of carpentry opportunities for whoever has an interest in becoming a carpenter.
Thus, carpentry is now one of the busiest industries in the world where millions of people are working under this category. Obviously, these professionals are undergoing a tough and active job which requires very important skills like hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, balance, stamina, and a good eye for accuracy. So, willing to know about carpentry and different types of carpentry opportunities in the world? If so, this is simply a must-read. Here we are sharing with you all that you need to know about carpentry and types of carpentry!
Job of a Carpenter
Throughout the world 30% of carpenters are self-employed and others work under a general contractor on a contract basis. In brief, reviewing blueprints, ordering wood, and constructing projects are considered the main jobs of a carpenter. Moreover, it is a must for the carpenter to follow the given directions well and the carpenter must ensure that their work meets local building codes to be successful in the career. After all, the final product of a carpenter should definitely fulfill the needs to match the blueprints and plans in order to make their bosses and clients happy.
How to get Different Types of Carpentry Jobs with No Experience
If you are a beginner or you want to shift your career you might be thinking how to become a carpenter even with no prior experience. There are two paths mentioned below that you can follow.
The first path you can take is completing an apprenticeship program and getting experience from an experienced person. You can work with experts and journeymen in the field. Of course, you cannot learn carpentry overnight or even in months. But you will have to spend nearly three to four years. However, by being an apprentice you will get the chance of practicing different carpentry tasks to sharpen your skills with the right professionals.
Another way of being a carpenter is to work as a laborer or as a carpenter assistant for some years and climb your way up while you are getting the skills and experience. You will get the chance to learn technical skills and hands-on techniques when you are working alongside other carpenters. Besides, this is the shortest way to follow if you want to be a carpenter.
Carpenter Work Schedules
Most of the carpenters work full time including evenings and weekends. They have to work under inclement weather or extreme temperatures and sometimes those factors can affect the carpenters’ working hours and building construction timelines.
Types of Carpentry Jobs
Generally, we identify a carpenter as a professional who builds and repairs wooden structures in the construction industry. But the significant thing is that a skilled carpenter can get into many different types of carpentry jobs throughout the world. We have listed twelve different types of carpentry jobs as follows. A couple may surprise you!
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Roofers
- Flooring Installers and Tile and Marble Setters
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers
- Woodworkers
- Construction Laborers and Helpers
- General Maintenance and Repair Workers
- Insulation Workers
- Cabinet Maker
- Deck Builder
- Shipwright
- Siding and Window Installer
Knowing what they are, let us now have a look at them with details.
1. Construction and Building Inspectors
Construction and building inspectors spend their majority of working hours inspecting worksites. They do this task alone or with a team. Surprising thing is that sometimes they have to climb ladders in tight spaces. Further, construction meeting building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations and contract specifications are the three tasks that a construction and building inspectors have to ensure.
If you wish to choose construction and building inspector as your carpentry job, at least you have to get a high school diploma and work experience in construction trades. Afterward, you can join the job and learn typically. The good news is that the median annual wage for this job is around $60,710.
If you are able to become a certified construction and building inspector who is an expert in performing different inspections, then you will have the best job opportunities.
Duties of Construction and Building Inspectors
If you wish to be a construction and building inspector, you will have to do the following things typically.
- Reviewing plans in order to ensure the plans meet zoning regulations, local ordinances, building codes and other specifications of the contract.
- Approving satisfactory building plans.
- Monitoring construction sites in equal intervals of time.
- Keeping daily logs. Here you can add the photographs you have taken while inspections.
- Using standard instruments, devices and test equipment to do inspections accurately.
- Issuing stop-work orders and violation notices.
2. Roofers
Of course, roofing is a job that demands physical fitness. The reason why we say so is that it includes some difficult conditions like heavy lifting, bending, climbing, and kneeling. Frequently, roofers have to perform these kind of activities in a very hot weather. Moreover, in busier summer months, roofers have to work overtime to complete particular jobs. Replacing roofs, repairing roofs and installing the roofs are the three tasks that roofers have to ensure.
If you wish to choose roofer as your carpentry job, you can enter the job through an apprenticeship program. But it is not compulsory because there are no specific education requirements for this job. You can receive a median annual wage of around $42,100 for this job.
Duties of Roofers
If you wish to be a roofer, you will have to do the following things typically.
- Inspecting the roofs with problems and identifying the best method to repair them.
- Measuring roofs in order to identify the amount of materials needed.
- Ventilation systems installation.
- Installing insulation layers to stop vapor coming.
- Installing different materials like asphalt, shingles and metals to prepare the roof weatherproof.
3. Flooring Installers and Tile and Marble Setters
If your dream is to be a flooring installer and tile and marble setter, your main job is laying and finishing tile, wood, carpet, and vinyl. Installing tiles and marbles is physically demanding because the workers have to spend lots of time bending and kneeling. However, many workers in this field have to work overtime to complete particular jobs.
Flooring installers and tile and marble setters learn their job typically by working in the field. Most of the people start their jobs as a helper. Besides, you can receive a median annual wage of around $42,050 for this job.
Duties of Flooring Installers and Tile and Marble Setters
If you wish to be a flooring Installer and tile and marble setter, you will have to do the following things typically.
- Existing floor or wall cover removing.
- Cleaning and leveling the floor or wall surface which needs to be covered.
- Measuring the surface area which should be covered and cutting flooring materials that suits it.
- Arranging the floors and walls to suit the design plans.
- Finishing the flooring works by using nails, adhesives and staples.
- Filling the joints with suitable filler compounds.
- Trimming excess carpet materials.
- Applying necessary finishing works.
4. Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers
These professionals work indoors. Same as other construction works this is also physically demanding. The reason is workers have to spend the whole day standing, reaching, or bending. The main task that a drywall and ceiling tile installer should perform is installing ceiling tile inside buildings and hanging wallboards. Besides, the job of tapers is readying the wallboard for painting works by using tapes and other equipment.
These professionals learn their trade on the job. A formal educational criterion is not a need. If you wish to be a drywall and ceiling tile installer, you can receive an annual wage of $45,700 while if you wish to be a taper you can receive an annual wage of $59,070.
Duties of Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers
If you wish to be a drywall and ceiling tile installer or a taper, you will have to do the following things typically.
- Measuring, marking and cutting panels considering the design plans. You will have to use tape measures, utility knives, straightedges and power saws for this.
- Fasten panels and tiles with the help of glue, nails or screws.
- Patching, trimming and smoothing rough edges.
- Covering joints between wallboards by using tape and sealing compound.
- Sanding all joints and holes to get a smooth and seamless finishing.
5. Woodworkers
Woodworkers create different ranges of products such as furniture. They use wood, veneers and laminates for this. Majority of the woodworkers work in manufacturing plants while some of them have to encounter noise and wood dust.
If you wish to become a woodworker, it is beneficial to follow a high school diploma or equivalent. At present, the ability to use computer-controlled machinery is becoming vital. Therefore, many tend to choose this profession.
Moreover, wood workers are capable of getting nearly $32,690 as the median annual wage.
Duties of Woodworkers
If you wish to become a woodworker, you will have to do the following things typically.
- Understanding blueprints, architectural drawings, shop drawings and schematics.
- Setting up the machines and tools for woodwork manufacturing.
- Loading and unloading wood pieces onto machines using hands or with hoists.
- Operating woodworking machines.
- Detecting unusual sounds and excessive vibrations in machinery.
6. Construction Laborers and Helpers
Construction laborers and helpers help to complete many tasks which need physical labor on construction sites. They work full time and normally complete physically demanding activities. Some of the construction laborers and helpers work at great heights both outdoors and indoors. Nevertheless, out of all occupations construction laborers and helpers have one of the highest rates of illnesses and injuries.
If you wish to become a construction laborer or a helper formal education is not required. You will only need to learn their trade through job training.
Further, construction laborers and helpers will have an annual wage of about $36,000.
Duties of Construction Laborers and Helpers
If you wish to be a construction laborer or a helper, you will have to do the following things typically.
- Cleaning and preparing construction sites by avoiding hazards.
- Constructing and taking apart scaffolding, bracing and temporary structures while the work is going.
- Operating machines and other equipment used in construction.
- Loading and unloading the building materials.
- Assisting the duties of craftworkers.
- Following the instructions and construction plans given by supervisors.
7. General Maintenance and Repair Workers
The main job of general maintenance and repair workers is fixing and maintaining machines, buildings and other mechanical equipment. General maintenance and repair workers have to do many different tasks within a single day in both indoor and outdoor locations.
If you wish to be a general maintenance and repair worker, you have to gain a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. Also you can get general maintenance and repair working skills on the job for several years.
A general maintenance and repair worker can get an annual wage of about $39,080.
Duties of General Maintenance and Repair Workers
If you wish to become a general maintenance and repair worker, you will have to do the following things typically.
- Maintaining machines, buildings and other mechanical equipment
- Replacing or fixing circuit breakers, outlets and electrical switches of the faculty.
- Inspecting and diagnosing problems and finding out the best way to solve them.
- Ensuring whether the machines run smoothly.
- Assembling and setting up machinery.
- Meeting clients and estimate repairs and costs and keeping the detailed records of them.
8. Insulation Workers
The main tasks that an insulation worker should perform is installing and replacing the materials that are used to insulate buildings and their related mechanical systems. Insulators normally work indoors while mechanical insulators work both indoors and outdoors. They have to spend their whole day standing, kneeling or bending in confined spaces.
If your dream is to become an insulation worker and you like to insulate floors, ceilings and walls, you will be able to learn your trade on the job. Majority of the mechanical insulators prefer to earn a high school diploma or equivalent first and complete an apprenticeship program after it.
If you are willing to work as a mechanical insulation worker, your annual salary is around $48,690. Besides, the annual wage for insulation workers of floor, ceiling, and wall is around $40,380.
Duties of Insulation Workers
If you wish to become an insulation worker, you will have to do the following things typically.
- Removing old insulation.
- Determining the amount and type of insulation needed by reviewing blueprints.
- Measuring and cutting insulation which needs to fit around pipes and walls.
- Securing the insulation work by using tape, screws or staples.
- Installing plastic barriers to secure the insulation work from moisture.
9. Cabinet Maker
Cabinet maker is one of the most detailed oriented types of carpentry jobs in the world. When looking into the responsibilities of a cabinet maker, he has to build and install cabinets, furniture and many other specialty items by using many different materials.
If your dream is to be a cabinet maker, you should have excellent skills in mathematics, blueprint reading and precise design planning. Also it is better to have a good knowledge of machining tools and computers.
A cabinet maker can gain an annual income of $30,180 – $43,000 depending on location and working experience.
10. Deck Builder
In the past both deck building and framing carpenters were in the same category and it got changed when some materials were introduced. Finally deck building became more unique from carpentry.
Installation of post and beam framing, joists and joist hanger layouts and decking installation are among the jobs that should be performed by a deck builder. A deck builder needs the knowledge of load bearing codes and railing systems additionally. Also having a good knowledge in mathematics, blueprint reading and having good physical strength is an additional benefit.
If you wish to become a deck builder, you can get an annual income of $43,000.
11. Shipwright
Shipwright is the person who builds and repairs all kinds of boats and ships. The sizes differ from small personal boats to large ships and barges. Shipwright is responsible for both designing phases and building up to strict specifications.
If you need to become a shipwright you should have a good knowledge of machine equipment, construction, exceptional math skills and engineering. Also having good communication skills is an additional benefit.
In order to join this job, an apprenticeship program or a maritime shipbuilding degree will be required.
If you wish to become a shipwright, you can get a surprising annual income of $93,000.
12. Siding and Window Installer
Installer is a job with lots of responsibilities. An installer is responsible for installing windows and doors, replacing windows and doors and all kinds of siding materials. Normally a siding and window installer has to work on remodel as well as new construction projects.
Siding and window installer needs to have a good knowledge in products, install practices and blueprint reading. Also they should have advanced carpentry skills and good communication skills within them. Aluminum breaking experience and talent of working high off the road will be additionally beneficial for the success in the career.
If you wish to become a siding and window installer, you can get an annual income of around $43,000.
Apart from these amazing facts about different carpentry jobs, it is indeed essential that you know about Green Woodworking. Of course, it is now one of the most popular techniques throughout the world followed by carpenters. Excited to know about it? We are sure you are! So, let us now have a look at what Green woodworking is.
What is Green Woodworking in Different Types of Carpentry Jobs?
Green Woodworking is the woodworking process of using only hand tools to convert unseasoned and unprocessed wood material into finished wood products.
As you might already know, unseasoned wood is the type of wood harvested recently and contains a high percentage of moisture in it. However, the main character of green woodworking is not based on the types of wood used, but the difference from the core philosophy of traditional woodworking to wood processing methods.
Advantages of Working With Green Wood
Green woodworking concept is getting popular day by day. This is because of the great advantages of green woodworking. Key advantage is it is easy to work with unseasoned wood because we need to put only less effort and less deterioration on the hand tools involved in green woodworking.
Injuries and Illnesses for Carpenters
Out of all occupations in the world, carpenters are among the highest rates of injuries and illnesses with a lot of hazards. Falling from ladders, strains from lifting heavy materials and cuts from sharp objects and tools are the most common injuries that carpenters are facing while working. In order to overcome these injuries carpenters are advised to wear safety equipment such as hardhats, boots, protective eyewear etc.
Now having an idea about different types of carpentry jobs you might be wondering what their advantages and disadvantages are. Willing to know them? We are sure you are! Just check the section below to get to know about it.
Advantages of Different Types of Carpentry Jobs
We can see that carpentry is a good way to make a living. Here are some of the advantages you can gain by choosing carpentry as your career.
- When you are working for years, there is a big chance of advancing experienced carpenters to carpentry or general construction supervisors.
- When the time passes you can become an independent contractor.
- You can get the ability to estimate things like type and quantity of materials needed to complete a job and how long a job will take to complete and its cost.
Disadvantages of Different Types of Carpentry Jobs
Carpentry occupations have several disadvantages that you have to face if you are wishing to join carpentry. Some of them are listed below.
- You have to work in several bad weather conditions.
- You have to work in risky and dangerous places
- Hard work is needed throughout the day
The Bottom Line
Hope this article provided you a good overview on types of carpentry jobs in the modern world. And why not? Comprehensive discussions about different types of carpentry jobs also happen at the world carpentry events. By chance, if you get an opportunity to join any of them, do not miss it out. You can get to know further details about carpentry jobs, how to join them, their salaries, injuries and hazards and many other essentials related to carpentry jobs at those events. And also U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that carpentry job out look statistics and hazards are common around the whole world. So keeping safety at first in your mind, enjoy your dream carpentry job.
