Carpenter Career Guide in Hawaii
Explore carpenter salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Hawaii.
Career Guide Navigation
How to Become a Carpenter in Hawaii
Most Hawaii carpenters qualify through union apprenticeship, technical education, employer training, or military construction experience. Apprenticeships combine paid employment with classroom instruction.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Carpenter Salary in Hawaii
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Hawaii median wage for carpenter workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $59,310, the median wage in Hawaii is approximately $24,850 higher. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Carpenters in Hawaii
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONCarpenter Training Requirements in Hawaii
Carpenters in Hawaii generally prepare through registered apprenticeship, technical education, or supervised construction employment.
- Learn framing, concrete forms, roofing, interior systems, cabinets, finish carpentry, blueprint reading, and construction layout.
- Complete supervised field training with power tools, scaffolds, lifts, fall protection, and tropical-weather construction materials.
- Study Hawaii building codes, construction mathematics, estimating, moisture protection, and termite-resistant construction.
- Complete OSHA construction safety and employer-required jobsite training.
- Meet experience and examination requirements before independently contracting under a Hawaii carpentry classification.
Carpenter Training Providers in Hawaii
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu Community College | Honolulu | View Program |
| Hawaiʻi Community College | Hilo | View Program |
| Kauaʻi Community College | Līhuʻe | View Program |
| University of Hawaiʻi Maui College | Kahului | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESCarpenter Apprenticeship Programs in Hawaii
Carpenter Apprenticeship
Organization: Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund
Construction Craft Apprenticeship
Organization: Associated Builders and Contractors Hawaii Chapter
Registered Apprenticeship Program
Organization: Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Carpenter Licensing Requirements in Hawaii
Hawaii does not require an individual license for a carpenter working as an employee. A business or individual contracting for carpentry work generally needs a C-5 Cabinet, Millwork and Carpentry Remodeling and Repairs license, C-6 Carpentry Framing license, or an appropriate general building contractor license.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSCarpenter Job Outlook in Hawaii
Hawaii projects carpenter employment to increase from approximately 7,190 jobs in 2022 to 7,640 jobs in 2032. This represents 6% growth and approximately 620 annual openings.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the carpenter salary in Hawaii?
The statewide median wage for carpenters in Hawaii is approximately $84,160 per year, or $40.46 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Hawaii require carpenter licensing?
Yes. Hawaii requires individuals performing regulated, non-exempt carpenter work to hold the appropriate license or credential. Applicants should verify the current license category, experience, examination, and renewal requirements with Hawaii Contractors License Board.
How long does it take to become a carpenter in Hawaii?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical training pathway takes approximately Varies by Program, although licensing, apprenticeship, and employer requirements may differ.
Are carpenters in demand in Hawaii?
Hawaii projects carpenter employment to grow by approximately 6% from 2022 to 2032, with about 620 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Hawaii Wages for Carpenter (SOC 47-2031) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Hawaii Carpenter Wages
- Hawaii Carpenter Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Hawaii Carpenter Employment Trends
- Hawaii Contractors License Board — Licensing authority. Hawaii Contractors License Board