Carpenters in Pennsylvania enjoy an annual average salary capable of rivaling anywhere else. They also want constant demand and an opportunity to scale their business and grow even further.
The comprehensive guide below will walk you through everything you need to know to start your journey toward being a skilled carpenter in Pennsylvania.
We discuss the basic educational requirements, possible training programs, and state licensure and certification guidelines.
We also take a quick look at the potential salary to expect, along with the career projection for carpenters over the coming decade.
How to Become a Carpenter in Pennsylvania
The following are the steps involved in becoming a carpenter in Pennsylvania:
Basic Requirements
Carpenters in Pennsylvania must start by enrolling in a training program. They are usually asked to provide a copy of their high school diploma or GED to secure admission into these programs. Some programs also stipulate that candidates must be at least 17 years old to apply.
Training
Once the primary conditions above have been fulfilled, the next step in becoming a carpenter in PA is to either receive training on the job or enroll in a formal training program. Both of these approaches have their benefits.
- Formal Training Programs - Formal carpentry training programs are offered by secondary institutions such as colleges and trade schools all over Pennsylvania. These programs are known to complement their classroom training with practical sessions in state-of-the-art workshops and laboratories.
Formal training programs are usually the most advisable route, as they make employment much more accessible after graduation.
- Apprenticeships - Apprenticeship programs have their benefits, not the least that they usually provide a great deal of real-world experience. Thanks to this, graduates of apprenticeship programs are usually familiar with the real-world demands of the job before they branch out on their own. While some apprenticeship programs can be completed in a year or two, some take four years.
- Carpenters Assistant - Lastly, aspiring carpenters in Pennsylvania who seek a different approach to the two options above may apply directly to work as an assistant for a practicing carpenter in the state.
There, they get to act as an understudy picking up the essential skills they need to branch out independently and start taking on contracts independently.
Consider trades with similar paths:
Top Carpentry Schools in Pennsylvania
1. Orleans Technical College
In Philadelphia, Orleans Technical College offers a 6-month carpentry program with brilliant classroom and laboratory training sessions. The program aims to bring up complete carpenters capable of working anywhere in the state. The school is accredited by ACCSC (the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges).
2. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Thaddeus Stevens College in Lancaster is another viable alternative for aspiring carpenters in Pennsylvania. The school strongly emphasizes the technical superiority of its graduates and provides state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to achieve this goal.
3. Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)
Community College of Allegheny County is another impressive destination for aspiring carpenters in the States. The school offers an apprenticeship program that lasts for four years. It is administered by the Joint Apprenticeship Committee of the Building Trades and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor.
Thanks to the program’s comprehensiveness, students can graduate and directly seek employment without additional time spent working as a carpenter’s assistant.
Explore Carpentry Schools By City
Carpentry Licensure and Certification Requirements in Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently does not mandate contractors to obtain a license from the state. Still, it is advisable to check with local jurisdictions to ensure no further requirements at that level.
Of course, certification is a different issue from licensure.
Carpenters in Pennsylvania who pursue certification usually do so because it helps them stand out, prove their competence, and make the employment-seeking process much more manageable.
As for the actual certification alternatives, there are quite a handful of them to consider. Among these are the Green Building and Sustainable Technology credential and the Certified Lead Carpenter credential.
It is also common for carpenters in Pennsylvania to pursue OSHA and Red Cross certifications.
Salary and Job Outlook
An average carpenter in Pennsylvania takes home an annual salary of $59,121, the same as the national average. Initially, this figure may be closer to around $42,747, but with time and optimization of a few other factors, it may get as high as $81,768.
One factor that plays a massive role in determining how much a carpenter will earn in Pennsylvania is their location in the state. For instance, carpenters in Chalfont earn an annual average salary of $75,683, while those in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh earn average wages of $65,372 and $62,866 per year, respectively.
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