Are carpenters a dying breed?

[Martin Wasner]

They don't teach it in school anymore hardly, which makes me wonder if this industry is in high demand. I've always kept this as a hobby, but I've been using power tools since I was 12. I'm 26 now. Is there good money in this industry?

Good money? Depends on your definition, but hanging onto a hammer isn't going to set any income records. Plus you are beating the snot out of your body constantly. If I could transport my 34 year old brain into my 17 year old body when I got into the trades, I would do something else with my life than be an idiot construction worker.

If you want to get into it, I wouldn't bother with school. Other than classes unrelated to the actual trade itself, you won't learn anything that can't be learned while getting paid on the job.

Bigger companies will have dedicated trimmers, roofers, framers, tile guys, guys who do wood floors, etcetera. BUT, there's plenty of small contractors who do a little of everything. My company does nothing but cabinets, but I do find myself helping out contractor buddies once in a while framing when they're short on help, (and I don't have much going on). Not my favorite job, too much like real work.

[ron david]

"A good miter set up is like yoga pants: it makes everyone's butts look good." Prashun Patel

yoga pants only make good butts look better. as for the rest; that may be where your fantasies lay.
ron

[Jim Andrew]

I had a career in construction, and can say if you watch for opportunities, you can do well for yourself. But if you just want a job, you will make twice as much being a plumber, as being a carpenter. That was my experience, but now that they are are licensing carpenters, it may be another story. Licensing seems key.

[Mac McQuinn]

I am truely amazed that you could find a carpentry course at any accredited college or university. If you mean vo-tech school, OK, but that's not college. Carpentry is a skill learned through tradesmanship programs

Pat,
I attended a local community college and received a 2 year degree in Applied Science with major in Residential Construction. I took my state builder's license test less than a month after graduating. Program is still intact at the college. During the time I was there, we built (2) complete houses from dirt to shingles.
Mac

[Andrew Hughes]

I didn't think anyone chooses to be a carpenter or get into construction.Seems t be more of a summer job and if it sticks, stay with it. I have a pension with 2361 carpenters Union I just have to stay alive till I'm 65. I walked on my first job site in 1984.

[Bill Orbine]

This is Ken in Idaho.....looking down.....shaking his head!

What are you looking at??? Your potatoes??

[Phil Thien]

I'm not sure about Carpenters, but I do believe that Wood Finishers are a Dyeing breed.

And from a moderator, no less.

[John T Barker]

If you want to investigate a career you can look up forecasts, wages, growth, etc. on the federal government's website...I'm guessing Dept. of Labor.

[John K Jordan]

Carpenters and carpenter-contractors around here (East TN) are well-fed and live in nice houses and their kids go to college. They are all very busy all of the time. My good friend who builds houses foundation to finish can't keep good help long since they learn the trade and are off contracting for themselves in a year or two. In fact two roofing specialists I know have branched out and are now remodeling and building from the ground up.

Fortunately I am able to be my own carpenter/contractor for 98% of my farm needs or my poor horses would be homeless and my workshop would still be in the garage.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I am truely amazed that you could find a carpentry course at any accredited college or university. If you mean vo-tech school, OK, but that's not college. Carpentry is a skill learned through tradesmanship programs

While the definition of college might not meet your definition, Pat, community colleges and yes some vocational/technical schools do offer courses and apprenticeship programs for carpentry.

[Max Neu]

When I was in high school,I went to a local vocational school for carpentry back in 90'-91'.I don't think it made much difference as far as being prepared to work as a carpenter after graduating,other than maybe finding a job quicker.Either way,you will start out as a grunt,and will have to be ambitious and eager to learn if you want to go anywhere with it.I started out framing,and worked my way to doing finish work,that eventually led to being a self employed cabinetmaker.I think if you are determined and have a certain goal about where you want to go with it,it can be done.Carpentry is like any woodworking job,your not doing it for the money,your doing it because you love to do it.If money is your top priority,and you like to build things,then getting into "Project Management" would be a better route to take in my opinion.

[Peter Quinn]

yoga pants only make good butts look better. as for the rest; that may be where your fantasies lay.
ron

I agree with you, remember it's a quote, not my statement. When I first read it I nearly fell off my seat laughing. Ever seen those " people of Walmart" photos? For me it was the connection between yoga pants and wood working the statement imparted, possibly the funniest thing I've ever read here. Perhaps not the most accurate, but funny. It's possible yoga pants do make everyone's miters look better? I'm going to try my doing my next trim job in yoga pants and see it that helps.

[mike mcilroy]

I'm not sure about Carpenters, but I do believe that Wood Finishers are a Dyeing breed.

Didn't think off colour humour was allowed.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Interesting.... Health care has 4 of the top 11 fastest growing industries. (Aging people?) Construction is #11. They don't separate it into hammer swinging and laying pipe. I think skilled trades will be in high demand once all the "college bound" kids get out of college and can't swing a hammer. But, they can be the boss of no one. The top declining industries is more shocking (almost all are manufacturing). Overseas labor?
http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_203.htm

[Brian W Smith]

They were a dying breed in the late 1940's....your juxtaposition,as I see it;Has zero merit.