How Much Does a Qualified Carpenter Earn?
So, how much does a carpenter earn?
Interested in working in the construction industry? Becoming a qualified carpenter is a smart financial move for your future, with many opportunities to build a rewarding career in Australia. A carpentry apprenticeship with hands-on construction work and exposure to real-world carpentry work in the construction industry is a great pathway to a lucrative career.
So, how much does a carpenter earn in Australia in 2023?
The earning potential for qualified carpenters is strong. Some of the higher-level carpentry jobs are seriously well paid. In fact, you can earn well over $150,000 a year — depending on your job title and experience, of course. If you want to turn your carpentry training into a career as a construction manager, for example, you might be earning up to $200,000 per year. The potential for growth with carpentry work in the construction industry means that the wages speak for themselves.
High demand means higher income
In Victoria alone, over 40,000 homes are built each year. This means reliable tradies with the right qualifications, training and experience will always be in high demand.
What income can I expect as a qualified carpenter?
So, how much do qualified carpenters earn? To better answer this question, we can first look into the average wage that a qualified carpenter can expect, as well as the type of career and earning potential you can achieve as you progress in the field.
How much does a carpenter apprentice earn?
When you first start your career as an apprentice carpenter in 2023, your rate of pay will usually be at a set starting point — the point where all accomplished carpenters started from.
It’s important to remember that you’ll be earning while learning, and that your carpentry salary will increase as you progress in your career and acquire more skills, training and experience with the appropriate carpentry tools and carpentry materials. The construction industry is one with a huge amount of career growth and opportunity, which means your future is bright.
What income can I expect when I first start my carpentry apprenticeship?
- According to PayScale, the average entry-level salary or rate of pay for a carpenter’s apprentice in Australia is around $18 per hour
- Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship training (e.g. Certificate III in Carpentry), your earning potential opens up
- The average salary for a qualified carpenter in Australia ranges from around $40,000 to $90,000 a year, on average — according to PayScale
Why is carpentry income so varied?
It’s understandable that you might be wondering why there’s such a gap between the incomes of an apprentice and qualified carpenter. Why is this figure so varied?
Put simply, the amount of money you earn will depend on who you work for. For example, you might work for a carpentry service, a building and construction firm, or even yourself, eventually! A carpentry income is also dependent on how many hours you work, the kind of carpentry jobs you choose to do, and how much experience you have in the industry.
Starting a carpentry business
What are the benefits of becoming a carpenter?
The main benefit of becoming a carpenter is the ability to start your own business. This offers you independence and more control over your working hours, the kinds of jobs you take on, and who you choose to work alongside.
Is there growth potential in the construction industry?
The construction industry itself is constantly evolving, which means there are many opportunities for qualified carpenters to find their niche and make an impact. If you’ve got business smarts, training, solid work experience, the right carpentry tools and a good team behind you, there’s no real cap on what you can earn.
Take our Quiz to Find Out Your Earning Potential
How to become a carpenter in the building and construction industry
If you’re hoping to become a qualified carpenter, you’ll know that your journey begins with an apprenticeship.
At Builders Academy Australia, we can help kickstart your career with our CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry (Carpenters). Once you’ve successfully completed your apprenticeship training — combined with the relevant on-the-job training — you can start earning the wages of a qualified carpenter.
At BAA, you’ll learn from some of the most experienced and innovative leaders in the building and construction industry. We teach our apprentice carpenters how to meet real-world needs, and adapt to a constantly changing workforce.
By the time you graduate, you’ll also have access to our solid employer networks. A successful career in the industry, further than just your qualification, requires networking with employer companies who can share their industry experience and training with you to give you the best start possible.
This ultimately means you’ll be in a better position to break into construction work and start earning.
Where can I study carpentry in Australia?
Online carpentry course
We know how busy qualified tradies are — that’s why we offer our building and construction courses online. What does online construction study mean? If you’re ready to step up your game and find a higher-paying job, it means you’ll have the freedom to continue earning a living while investing in your future by upskilling at the same time.
Career and study progression opportunities
As a graduate of the CPC302 Certificate III in Carpentry, you can go on to enrol in the CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building). With this qualification under your belt, you’ll have the skills and knowledge needed to start looking into more supervisory roles within the industry. You can then become licensed and start your own carpentry business.
You might choose to go even further and enrol in the CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building). This nationally recognised qualification can set you up to pursue a career as a project supervisor, building manager, estimator, foreperson, and more — it’s really up to you.
Get started with Builders Academy Australia
The bottom line? Qualified carpenters can earn great money in Australia. With the right training, qualifications and commitment to upskilling, you can build a great career and lifestyle as a carpenter.
Ready to get started with carpentry?
If you’re interested in breaking into the industry, studying one of our building and construction courses, or would simply like more information about wage rates and earning potential, take our quiz and we’ll give you a call to discuss the answers.
Take our Quiz to Find Out Your Earning Potential
This article has been updated and republished on 4th March 2023.