Pursuing a career as a carpenter in Ohio can be rewarding. Compared to other construction trades, carpenters earn a very impressive salary and remarkable long-term employability.
Additionally, thanks to the job’s growth potential, a carpenter can easily decide to start their own company and scale their yearly earnings even further.
To help interested individuals get started as carpenters in Ohio, we have provided a comprehensive guide below touching on an array of essential topics, including skills requirements, educational requirements, attributes, licensure, and more.
How to Become a Carpenter in Ohio
There are two ways to begin a carpentry career in Ohio. The first involves getting a formal education through an academic program, while the second involves enrolling in an apprenticeship program.
Formal Academic Programs
A formal academic program prepares carpenters to be sound in the job’s theoretical and practical aspects. Typically, community colleges and vocational institutions offer these programs, and can be completed in a few months or a few years, depending on how the students want to go.
Those with a long-term view may enroll in a comprehensive construction program that can be completed in 4 years. Graduates of such programs will leave with a bachelor of science degree. Those looking for a shorter program to begin working as fast as possible may opt for certificate programs that can be completed in a few months.
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship programs for aspiring carpenters in Ohio are thorough, focusing predominantly on practical experience and helping students get their hands on tools as quickly as possible. That said, apprenticeship programs also incorporate classroom training so that students are able to understand the theoretical principles behind the things they are being taught.
Carpenter’s Assistant
Those who wish to obtain training as aspiring carpenters without enrolling in an apprenticeship program may consider working directly under a licensed carpenter as a carpenter’s assistant. This provides a more direct and personal form of education that may also include a degree of mentorship.
Consider exploring trades with similar paths:
Licensure and Certification Requirements
A carpenter does not need a license to start working there in Ohio. However, to start a business and be able to take on larger contracts, the state requires a contractor license. To obtain this license, candidates must be at least 18 years old.
They must also be citizens of the United States or legal aliens. Once the above requirements are met, candidates must submit their application, including the processing fee, complete a background check, pass the trade exam, and render proof of insurance.
Certain aspects of these steps may vary from city to city. For instance, Columbus’s minimum liability insurance coverage is 300,000, while Cincinnati requires 100,000 and Cleveland 200,000.
Top Carpentry Schools in Ohio
The following are a few top carpentry schools in Ohio.
Cuyahoga Community College
Residents of Ohio looking to become professional carpenters may consider the training program at Cuyahoga Community College. One of the program’s highlights is that it is essentially a hybrid of an apprenticeship and a formal academic program. Students will learn everything they need, from classroom topics to practical sessions.
Collins Career Technical Center
At Collins Career Technical Center, admitted applicants will learn under top-class training instructors and be prepared for entry-level employment. Graduates may work in cabinet making, furniture making, architectural woodwork, and more. They will also earn credentials like the OSHA and Red Cross safety credentials.
Columbus State Community College
Lastly, aspiring carpenters in Ohio may consider the Columbus State Community College program. Graduates of this program earn a certificate and become skilled in various carpentry topics and practical applications. The program includes 19 credit hours of training. Students must complete 11 credit hours in the first semester and finish the remaining nine credit hours in the second semester.
Explore Carpentry Schools By City
Salary and Career Outlook
The annual salary for a carpenter in Ohio is $60,061, practically the same as the national average. Carpenters in the state who earn the most earn an average yearly salary of $89,946, while those who earn the lowest still make around $40,106 annually.
Among the factors determining where an aspiring carpenter will fall in the salary range include experience level, education, certification, establishment of employment, specialization, and location.
For instance, carpenters in Akron are the highest paid in the state, with an annual average salary of $70,355. This is followed by carpenters in Columbus, who earn an average yearly salary of $62,451.
Dayton, Delaware, and Troy round up the highest-paying cities in the state with annual average salaries of $61,743, $60,716, and $60,595, respectively.
Related Articles
Related Careers
Top Schools Near Me
