National Occupational Classification (NOC): 72310
Fast Facts
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Sample Job Titles
- Apprentice carpenter
- Carpenter
- Carpenter-joiner
- Finish carpenter
- Journeyman/woman carpenter
- Maintenance carpenter
- Metal framer - carpentry
- Renovation carpenter
- Rough carpenter
- Stair builder-carpenter
What do carpenters do?
Carpenters construct, erect, install, maintain and repair structures and components of structures made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials. They are employed by construction companies, carpentry contractors, and maintenance departments of factories, plants and other establishments, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Carpenters perform some or all of the following duties:
- Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and sketches to determine specifications and calculate requirements.
- Prepare layouts in conformance to building codes, using measuring tools.
- Measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials made of wood, wood substitutes, lightweight steel and other materials.
- Build foundations, install floor beams, lay subflooring and erect walls and roof systems.
- Fit and install trim items, such as doors, stairs, moulding and hardware.
- Maintain, repair and renovate residences and wooden structures in mills, mines, hospitals, industrial plants and other establishments.
- Supervise apprentices and other construction workers.
- May prepare cost estimates for clients.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
Carpenters primarily work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:
- 238 Specialty trade contractors
- 236 Construction of buildings
- 237 Heavy and civil engineering construction
- 622 Hospitals
Source: 2021 Census, Statistics Canada.
Short and Long Term Occupational Projections
Short Term Projections for 2025-2027
The employment outlook will be moderate for Carpenters in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 3 out of 5) for the 2025-2027 period.
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Number of Job Postings in 2025
During 2025, there were 254 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:
| Avalon: 68% | Western: 8% |
| Eastern: 6% | Labrador: 6% |
| Central: 8% | NL-unspecified: 4% |
Source: Vicinity Jobs (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year).
Who works as carpenters in Newfoundland and Labrador?
During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 2,400 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 99% of those employed were Male+ and 1% of those employed were Female+.
Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:
| 15 to 24 | 25 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65+ |
| 4% | 61% | 31% | 5% |
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada.
How much do carpenters make?
Annual Earnings
The median employment income for all carpenters in the reference year 2020 (3,735 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $28,200.
Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada.
Hourly Earnings
Salary information for carpenters in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $27.00 | $39.27 |
The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:
| Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
| $22.00 | $32.12 | $44.23 |
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada
Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2025)
- Woodworking
- Teamwork
- Carpentry
- English language
- Blueprint reading
- Attention to detail
Source: Vicinity Jobs
What training is required?
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four- year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in carpentry is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification for carpenters is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
- Trade certification for framers is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified carpenters upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
- The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada
* Find public and private education, training and skills development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador here.