Rough carpentry and framing

Rough carpentry builds what is later covered. O*NET’s definition of the carpenter covers concrete forms, building frameworks including partitions, joists, studding and rafters, stairways, window and door frames and floors, and it groups the framing crew’s laborers separately as construction laborers.

The carpenter’s core tasks, in O*NET’s wording, are to measure and mark cutting lines using a ruler, pencil, chalk and marking gauge; to shape or cut materials using hand tools, machines or power saws; and to verify the trueness of a structure using plumb bob and level. O*NET records 126 tool commodities for carpenters and 175 for construction laborers.

O*NET OnLine, the occupational database of the US Department of Labor, reports for Carpenters (47-2031.00), 889,700 people in 2025, a median wage of $29.12 an hour ($60,580 a year), projected growth for 2025–2035 described as average (3% to 4%), and 62,800 projected job openings; for Construction Laborers (47-2061.00), 1,489,300 people in 2025, a median wage of $22.66 an hour ($47,120 a year), projected growth for 2025–2035 described as much faster than average (7% or higher), and 120,000 projected job openings.