The Job Market for Carpenters in the United States

Current Workforce
There are approximately 956,300 carpenters employed across the United States.

Projected Growth
The carpenter job market is expected to grow by 0.9% between 2022 and 2032. This translates to a need for about 13,300 additional carpenters over the next decade, accounting for both new positions and those filled due to retirements.

Employability Rating
CareerExplorer rates carpenters with a C employability rating, indicating moderate job opportunities. The projected growth and ongoing demand suggest stable employment for trained carpenters, especially those specializing in niche areas.

Demand for Carpenters

Carpenters represent the largest building trades occupation. Factors driving demand include:

• Population Growth: Increased new-home construction will require more carpenters.
• Renovation and Remodeling: Upgrading existing infrastructure and homes will sustain job opportunities.
• Commercial Construction: New hotels, offices, restaurants, factories, and power plants are predicted to create additional jobs.

Challenges to Demand:
The rise of modular and prefabricated components may negatively impact traditional carpentry roles. Economic fluctuations and government budget constraints can also influence job availability.

Specialization Opportunities:
Carpenters who specialize in areas like restoration, building conversions, and interior design may find more opportunities as these niches grow.

Work Patterns:
Due to the cyclical nature of construction, carpenters may alternate between working for contractors and taking on independent jobs.

Supply of Carpenters by State

The carpenter workforce is concentrated in specific states, with the following numbers of employed carpenters:

State	Employed Carpenters
California	96,460
New York	47,220
Florida	42,520
Texas	37,520
Pennsylvania	28,440
Washington	25,620
Illinois	25,200
Georgia	19,590
Michigan	19,400
Ohio	18,920
Massachusetts	18,220
Virginia	16,670
North Carolina	16,540
New Jersey	16,360
Minnesota	16,220
Wisconsin	15,630
Indiana	14,710
Oregon	14,660
Maryland	13,770
Colorado	13,750
Missouri	13,540
Louisiana	12,200
Arizona	10,820
Nevada	10,450
Utah	9,190
South Carolina	8,740
Nebraska	7,710
Tennessee	7,290
Alabama	7,270
Kentucky	7,070
Iowa	6,650
Idaho	6,300
Connecticut	5,680
Hawaii	5,340
Kansas	5,150
Oklahoma	4,720
Maine	4,520
Arkansas	4,440
Montana	4,300
New Mexico	4,280
South Dakota	4,100
New Hampshire	3,380
Mississippi	3,120
Rhode Island	2,900
Vermont	2,780
Wyoming	2,760
West Virginia	2,620
North Dakota	2,550
Alaska	2,170
Puerto Rico	2,080
District of Columbia	1,830
Delaware	1,770
Guam	970
Virgin Islands, U.S.	280

This data indicates a significant concentration of carpenters in states with larger populations and more active construction markets, which aligns with the demand driven by population growth and economic activity.