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How to Build a Carpentry Hobby Into a Career

For those who've ever dreamed of turning weekend carpentry projects or home remodeling into a a high-paying job, there are a number of potentially lucrative career options open to them.

The good news is that a relatively significant portion of carpenters - about one third of the industry - are self employed, making it an excellent career especially for highly motivated self-starters.

Even with no schooling or work experience in the field, there are many opportunities available. Many entry level positions in the construction industry require little or no qualifications, although interpretation of blueprints and simple math ability will greatly help get your foot in the door. Entry level jobs can also lend the kind of invaluable hands-on job experience necessary to eventually gain access to more senior positions.

In the US, the average wage for someone in the construction industry starts out at more than $17 dollars an hour, and someone who dedicates themselves can go far simply by working hard and showing a genuine interest in the field.

For those with some work experience or schooling, there are a lot of different career options available.

Typically, carpenters in the construction trades work with drywall, fiberglass, as well as wood. Also consider floor laying, cabinetry, trimming, repair, remodeling and refinishing. Carpentry skills can also be applied to theater set building and trade shows exhibits.

Salaries for these kinds of jobs vary, but due to their specialized nature and the fact that many of them require several different skills to be performed well, earnings are usually relatively high.

Of course, it all depends greatly on the amount of experience you build up that will dictate how much your skills are worth, and how often they will be in demand.

More about carpenter jobs and carpentry careers around the Web:

For an enterprising individual with a hobby of carpentry and a desire to turn that hobby into a paying job, the Web is a good place to start for guides to careers in the trade with related information on average salaries, required skills and training, along with how to's on starting your own business:

Occupational Outlook Handbook - Carpenters - US Department of Labor guide with extensive information on required schooling and training, typical work environment & job descriptions, average salaries, prospects for advancement, and more on related occupations including home remodeling, construction, framing, cabinetry.

Carpentry Careers - Extensive directory of US and worldwide resources featuring guides to apprenticeships, educational and skill requirements, and information on related careers including building contractor, estimator, floor layer, and woodworker occupations.

United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America - Information on apprenticeships, training and careers, with membership application and database of national contacts and training centers searchable by location in the US and Canada, and the online Carpenters Magazine.

A Day in the Life of a Carpenter - Good overview from the Princeton Review detailing the pros and cons of the construction trades work environment, tools, materials and skills required.

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