Carpenter Career Guide in Massachusetts
Explore carpenter salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Massachusetts.
Career Guide Navigation
How to Become a Carpenter in Massachusetts
Carpenters commonly train through union apprenticeship, vocational schools, community colleges, registered apprenticeship, or construction employers. Contractor and supervisor credentials are separate from apprenticeship.
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 Massachusetts
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts is approximately $14,530 higher. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Carpenters in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts
Massachusetts carpenters generally qualify through apprenticeship, vocational education, or supervised residential and commercial construction employment.
- Learn framing, concrete formwork, roofing, interior systems, finish carpentry, blueprint reading, construction mathematics, and layout.
- Complete supervised field training with carpentry tools, power equipment, scaffolds, lifts, ladders, and fall-protection systems.
- Study Massachusetts building and energy codes, estimating, contracts, materials, and weather-resistant construction.
- Complete OSHA construction safety and employer-required equipment training.
- Obtain Home Improvement Contractor registration or a Construction Supervisor License when the intended work requires it.
Carpenter Training Providers in Massachusetts
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | Boston | View Program |
| North Shore Community College | Danvers | View Program |
| Springfield Technical Community College | Springfield | View Program |
| Greater Lawrence Technical School — Adult Education | Andover | 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 Massachusetts
Carpenter Apprenticeship
Organization: North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
Construction Apprenticeship Training
Organization: Associated Builders and Contractors Massachusetts
Massachusetts Registered Apprenticeship
Organization: MassHire Department of Career Services
Carpenter Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not license employee carpenters. Contractors performing residential improvements must register as Home Improvement Contractors. Work involving structural elements, building permits, or supervision of regulated construction may require a Construction Supervisor License.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSCarpenter Job Outlook in Massachusetts
Massachusetts projects approximately 6% carpenter employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 3,800 annual openings from growth and worker replacement.
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 Massachusetts?
The statewide median wage for carpenters in Massachusetts is approximately $73,840 per year, or $35.50 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Massachusetts require carpenter licensing?
Licensing requirements for carpenter workers in Massachusetts vary by work scope, license category, and jurisdiction. Applicants should verify current requirements with Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation — Home Improvement Contractor Program before beginning work or applying for an examination.
How long does it take to become a carpenter in Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts projects carpenter employment to grow by approximately 6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,800 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
- Massachusetts Wages for Carpenter (SOC 47-2031) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Massachusetts Carpenter Wages
- Massachusetts Carpenter Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Massachusetts Carpenter Employment Trends
- Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation — Home Improvement Contractor Program — Licensing authority. Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation — Home Improvement Contractor Program