Carpentry is a skill that has been practiced for centuries and continues to be an important profession in many different industries today. Working as a carpenter can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession, but as with any job, there are pros and cons that should be taken into consideration. For those considering a career in carpentry, it is important to understand what the job entails and the benefits and downsides that come with it. In this blog post, we’ll be examining the pros and cons of being a carpenter, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of pursuing this career path. We’ll discuss the potential for job security and career growth, the physical and mental demands of the job, and wages and benefits associated with the profession. Additionally, we’ll explore other important considerations like location, and the skills and experience necessary to work in carpentry. By the end of this post, readers will have a clearer understanding of the pros and cons of being a carpenter and can make an informed decision
- You can work with your hands. …
- You gain repair skills. …
- You can work on your feet. …
- You can work normal hours. …
- You can earn higher wages.
- The job has minimal educational requirements. …
- You can risk accidental injury. …
- The job requires hard physical labor.
Pros of being a carpenter
Becoming a carpenter offers many benefits, including these six pros:
1. You can work with your hands
Working with your hands and directly influencing the results of your projects is possible in the physically demanding profession of carpentry. You can use hand tools and particular techniques to make one-of-a-kind furniture or help build homes or buildings. People who enjoy seeing the results of their labor and using their hands to create original works of art may find working with their hands to be an appealing trait. Carpenters acquire a variety of skills and tools that they can use in their daily lives.
2. You gain repair skills
Carpenters are trained to fix wooden structures, furniture, and object damage. This might include technical carpentry and building abilities that carpenters can use in their daily lives. For instance, a carpenter might use the abilities they acquire at work to fix a deteriorating wooden shed in their yard and save money by doing so instead of hiring someone else. These abilities are versatile and may be very valuable to potential employers. Some carpenters use these skills to start their own businesses.
3. You can work on your feet
Most physically taxing jobs like carpentry require a lot of standing around. Walking, squatting, bending, swinging a hammer, and engaging in other physical activities can be excellent ways to stay fit and active. People who want to work while getting some exercise may want to consider a career in carpentry. Some carpentry jobs also involve heavy lifting, which can improve your strength and level of fitness.
4. You can work normal hours
Typically, carpenters can choose to work a regular schedule or eight hours per day, five days a week. Many employers provide flexible scheduling options, including overtime, if you want to increase your income. This gives you the option to spend weekends, holidays, or other time off from work with family or working overtime to earn more money. You can have even more control over your time and design a schedule that suits your needs if you work as an independent contractor. Although contractors typically work 40-hour weeks, they can schedule personal time whenever they want.
5. You can earn higher wages
6. The job has minimal educational requirements
Carpenters typically hold a high school diploma or GED. A college education may enable you to advance in management or as a supervisor, but it is not a guarantee of a higher starting salary as a carpenter. You may be able to save money by opting for vocational programs instead of an expensive college education because the field of carpentry places a greater emphasis on skill than education.
What does a carpenter do?
A carpenter is a member of the construction trade who builds wooden furniture, structures, and other building components. Carpenters are knowledgeable in processes like precise sawing, drilling, hand sanding, and selecting the best kind of wood for particular projects. Carpenters frequently work on personal projects for clients or in teams for construction or carpentry businesses.
Cons of being a carpenter
Before applying for a job as a carpenter, there are a number of disadvantages to think about, including these six:
1. You can risk accidental injury
Working with heavy machinery, sharp hand tools, and power tools while doing carpentry can present some risks. For instance, you might use hand chisels, drills, or saws, all of which have rotating metallic parts or sharp edges that could injure you. Before using these tools, carpenters are taught crucial safety procedures, and they frequently obtain safety certifications. To reduce accidents and make the workplace safer for everyone, they also adhere to strict workplace safety standards. Most construction companies demand that before employees can work on projects independently, they must complete safety training modules and apprentice under an experienced carpenter.
2. The job requires hard physical labor
A physically fit and resilient individual is required for the labor-intensive career path of carpentry. You frequently spend the majority of your shift standing, moving slowly, and crouching. You can also position heavy beams, furniture, or machinery, lift heavy objects, and cut and shape wood with hand tools. Carpenters need to have strong physical stamina, which you can develop as you gain more experience. You can also start an exercise regimen focused on cardio exercises outside of work to increase your physical endurance and make the physical demands of your job easier.
3. The job outlook is below average
4. You might need three to five years of training
To become a carpenter, you don’t necessarily need a college degree, but the position typically calls for three to five years of apprenticeship training. A certified, seasoned carpenter supervises aspiring carpenters for the first few years of their training. Although it can be a significant time commitment, three to five years will help you develop your carpentry abilities, knowledge of the industry, and safety standards to work as a certified carpenter. With an apprenticeship, you can make money while learning the job while also saving money.
5. You may experience inconsistency in work opportunities
Carpenters typically experience some inconsistency during their careers. The demand for professional carpenters heavily influences the availability of work, and occasionally there isn’t a strong demand. For instance, if the housing market isn’t doing well, there might be less demand for new homes, which would mean fewer jobs for residential carpenters. While inconsistent work can be a drawback of the job, it also gives carpenters a chance to pursue new training or skills to boost their competitiveness in the industry. You can use this time to pursue better career opportunities in the industry or obtain new certifications.
6. You might work as a contractor
Carpenters who are unable to secure employment with recognized construction firms or carpentry unions may choose to become independent contractors. Being the manager, marketer, and laborer all at once while working as a contractor can be unreliable. Although challenging, this presents an opportunity to develop your skills and build a clientele of your own. Additionally, contractors benefit from setting their own compensation and focusing on the projects they love rather than just those that are assigned to them.
Tips for becoming a carpenter
Here are some advice on how to become a carpenter:
pros and cons of carpentry and my new Gimbal
FAQ
Is being a carpenter worth it?
A profession only pays well if you can find work. Fortunately, job prospects for carpenters are expected to be above average in the foreseeable future. The BLS forecasts a mere 2% increase in overall job growth across all occupations between 2020 and 2030.
What are the risks of being a carpenter?
- Injury hazards from the use of various machinery and tools.
- Exposure to toxic molds, fungi and bacteria.
- Toxic hazards from exposure to chemicals, solvents and other materials.
- cancer caused by formaldehyde in pressed wood, solvent exposure, and wood dust
Is carpentry a fun job?
Because each project and day is different, there is less repetition than in other career paths. Carpenters have a rewarding and enjoyable job because they get to use their hands to create things and they can see the results of their labor in real time.
Can you make a good living as a carpenter?
According to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average professional carpenter salary in the United States is $51,120, though some states pay better than others. U. S. carpenters make the most money in the following five states.
