How Much Do Carpenters Make?

How Much Do Carpenters Make? Career, Salary and Skill Guide

Carpenters are essential to both construction and bespoke woodworking, responsible for shaping and assembling everything from house frames and roofs to staircases, kitchens, and fine cabinetry. Whether working on-site or in a workshop, carpentry offers strong earning potential and a respected trade—but how much can you really make?

This guide covers the job, skills required, training routes, specialisations, salary bands, and what the future holds for carpenters in the UK.

Job Description: What Do Carpenters Do?

Carpenters cut, fit, install and repair wooden structures and fixtures in buildings. They work across domestic, commercial, and industrial projects—on new builds, renovations, and repairs.

Core responsibilities include:

• Measuring and marking up timber

• Cutting and shaping wood using hand or power tools

• Assembling doors, window frames, stairs, flooring, and roof trusses

• Installing skirting boards, architraves, cupboards, and shelves

• Reading blueprints and technical drawings

• Repairing wooden structures and fixtures

• Collaborating with builders, plumbers, electricians and clients

How Hard Is It to Become a Carpenter?

Carpentry is physically demanding but not academically intensive. The trade is highly practical, so you’ll learn best on-site or through hands-on training.

You don’t need A-levels or a degree, but mastering the craft takes 2–4 years of training and ongoing experience. Good carpenters are always in demand, especially in construction hotspots.

Traits and Characteristics You Need

To succeed as a carpenter, you should be:

• Good with your hands, using tools confidently and safely

• Precise and accurate, with excellent measuring and attention to detail

• Physically fit, for lifting, bending and long hours on your feet

• Problem-solving, able to adapt designs or fix issues on the fly

• Reliable and independent, especially on solo tasks

• Safety-conscious, especially when using saws or working at height

• Good at reading plans, especially in site carpentry or structural work

Do You Need to Study?

Not in a traditional academic sense. You can become a carpenter through:

Routes into the trade:

• Apprenticeship (Level 2 or 3 NVQ in Site or Bench Joinery)

• City & Guilds or BTEC Diploma in Carpentry and Joinery

• Trainee labourer → on-the-job training + NVQ assessment

Apprenticeships typically last 2–3 years, combining college with on-site work. A full NVQ Level 3 is recognised across the UK and allows you to work independently or apply for supervisory roles.

What Are the Different Levels and Specialisations?

Levels:

• Apprentice / Improver

• Qualified Carpenter (NVQ Level 2)

• Advanced Carpenter (NVQ Level 3)

• Lead Carpenter / Foreperson

• Self-employed or Contractor

• Supervisor / Project Manager

Specialisations:

• Site Carpenter – Framing, flooring, roofing on construction sites

• Bench Joiner – Workshop-based; crafting doors, cabinets, stairs

• Heritage / Restoration Carpenter – Working on listed buildings

• Formwork Carpenter – Shuttering and concrete moulding

• Finish Carpenter – Detailed internal finishing and trim

• Shopfitter – Commercial interiors, retail, and hospitality

What Experience Do You Need?

• Completion of apprenticeship or equivalent training

• Strong portfolio of practical work

• Use of hand and power tools

• Ability to interpret construction drawings

• Familiarity with building regs and site safety

• Holding a CSCS card is required for most construction sites

Benefits of Being a Carpenter

• Strong earning potential as experience grows

• Satisfaction of creating real, lasting work

• No degree needed—earn while you learn

• Opportunity to be self-employed

• Work indoors or outdoors depending on the role

• Transferable trade—carpenters are needed worldwide

• Flexible path—from building sites to luxury bespoke work

Drawbacks and Negatives

• Physically demanding and potentially hard on your back/knees

• Long hours, especially in summer or during big projects

• Inconsistent work—especially for self-employed tradespeople

• Work in all weather (site carpenters in particular)

• Tool costs—many carpenters are expected to supply their own

• High responsibility for measurements and safety

Carpenter Salary UK

Pay varies based on location, specialism, and whether you're employed or self-employed.

• Apprentice: £12,000 – £18,000

• Newly Qualified: £22,000 – £28,000

• Experienced Carpenter: £30,000 – £45,000

• Self-employed / Contractor: £40,000 – £70,000+

• Specialist Joiner / Foreman: £50,000 – £80,000+

Tax Example:

A carpenter earning £40,000/year would pay:

• Income Tax: approx. £5,432

• National Insurance: approx. £3,149

• Take-home pay: approx. £31,400/year or £600/week

Self-employed carpenters can reduce taxable income through expenses like fuel, tools, van costs, insurance, and accounting.

What Factors Affect Salary?

• Location – London/South East carpenters often earn more

• Type of work – Bespoke joinery pays more than framing

• Speed and skill – More efficient carpenters earn more per job

• Experience and reputation

• Self-employed vs employed – Self-employed earn more but have overheads

• Specialisation – Heritage and finish carpentry often pay higher day rates

• Certifications and insurance – More responsibility can command more pay

What’s the Future for This Role?

Carpentry remains a strong, in-demand trade. The UK faces a construction skills shortage, and carpenters are near the top of that list. With more demand for sustainable housing and modular construction, carpenters who adapt to modern methods of construction (MMC) will stay competitive.

There's growing opportunity in:

• Green building / passive house

• Restoration and heritage work

• Timber frame construction

• Luxury interiors / bespoke cabinetry

AI and robotics aren’t likely to replace this hands-on craft any time soon.

Best Companies to Work for in the UK Carpentry Sector

Carpenters are often employed by:

• Wates Group – large national contractor

• Morgan Sindall – public and private sector builds

• Willmott Dixon – known for community-based projects

• Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Homes – housing developers

• Specialist fit-out firms – like ISG, BW, or Edge Interior

• Luxury furniture/joinery workshops – for bench joiners

• Historic England, National Trust – heritage-focused carpentry

Self-employment or subcontracting is extremely common—and often more profitable—for skilled carpenters.

Final Thought

Carpentry offers a hands-on, skilled trade career with high earning potential, especially for those who specialise or go self-employed. You don’t need a degree or loads of study—but you do need determination, physical stamina, and attention to detail. It’s a solid career that builds tangible results—and a good living—with room for growth.