Description
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.
Job Titles
- Apprentice carpenter
- Carpenter
- Carpenter-joiner
- Finish carpenter
- Journeyman/woman carpenter
- Maintenance carpenter
- Metal framer – carpentry
- Renovation carpenter
- Rough carpenter
- Stair builder-carpenter
Main 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.
Workplaces
- Carpentry contractors
- Self-employed
- Construction companies
- Maintenance departments of factories, plants and other establishments
Skills
- Management of Material Resources
- Numeracy
- Operation and Control
- Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
- Quality Control Testing
- Reading Comprehension
- Setting Up
- Coordinating
- Critical Thinking
- Decision Making
Abilities
- Dynamic Strength
- Static Strength
- Trunk Strength
- Depth Perception
- Gross Body Coordination
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Spatial Visualization
- Stamina
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Auditory Attention
Personal Attributes
- Independence
- Active Learning
- Adaptability
- Analytical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration
- Innovativeness
- Leadership
- Stress Tolerance
- Concern for Others
Similar Occupations
- Cabinetmakers (72311)
- Woodworking machine operators (94124)
- Carpenter supervisor (in 72013.00 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be Very good for carpenters (NOC 72310) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
- Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.
Carpenters continue to be in high demand in P.E.I., driven by housing shortages, new residential construction, and steady renovation activity. Residential employment is expected to continue to grow over the forecast period, creating strong demand for carpenters. Seasonal demand remains a factor, with peak employment during the summer months, but opportunities are also sustained through renovation and maintenance projects year-round. Many carpenters in P.E.I. are self-employed, and entrepreneurial opportunities remain strong, particularly for those with specialized skills.
For new graduates or career seekers, this occupation offers stable employment, competitive wages, and advancement potential, with prospects strongest for those who can adapt to new technologies (e.g., digital blueprints, advanced tools) and are willing to travel to job sites across the province.
Here are some key facts about Carpenters in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 1,100 people work in this occupation.
- Carpenters mainly work in the following sectors:
- Construction (NAICS 23): 93%
- The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
- Full-time workers: 94% compared to 84% for all occupations
- Part-time workers: 6% compared to 16% for all occupations
- 50% of carpenters work all year, while 50% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- 30% of carpenters are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 16% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 28% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 30% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 21% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $20.00 | $25.00 | $35.00 |
| Canada | $22.00 | $32.12 | $44.23 |
Training
| TRAINING PROGRAM | INSTITUTION | CREDENTIAL |
|---|---|---|
| Carpentry | Holland College | Certificate |
| Heritage Retrofit Carpentry | Holland College | Certificate |