22 Carpenter Statistics: Wages, Outlook and Certification (2026)
Cited data on what carpenters earn in Ontario and Canada, how large the workforce is, Red Seal and Skilled Trades Ontario rules, and US Bureau of Labor Statistics benchmarks.
Ontario carpenters earn a median $32.00 an hour, according to Job Bank's 2023 to 2024 figures, and about 39,200 people work in the trade across the province. A carpenter builds, installs and repairs wood and related structures, from framing and formwork to finish trim. Carpenter-adjacent jobs such as trim and molding show up on our quote form across Canada. The 22 statistics below cover wages, workforce size, outlook, certification and US benchmarks. For homeowner prices, see our trim and baseboard cost guide and trim and molding services.
Job Bank and Skilled Trades Ontario figures are in CAD. BLS and HomeGuide figures are in USD. Sources were checked on October 13, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Ontario median carpenter wage is $32.00 an hour, with a high of $48.00 (Job Bank).
- Toronto Region carpenters earn a median $36.00 an hour, the highest regional median in the province (Job Bank).
- About 39,200 carpenters work in Ontario, and 35% are self-employed (Job Bank outlook).
- General Carpenter is a voluntary trade in Ontario, with a 7,200-hour apprenticeship (Skilled Trades Ontario).
- US carpenters earn a median $29.12 an hour, or $60,580 a year in May 2025 (BLS).
- Interior trim runs $4 to $10 per linear foot installed for homeowners (HomeGuide, USD).
How much do carpenters earn in Ontario?
Carpenter wages in Ontario sit well above many general labour rates, and the Toronto Region leads the province. Job Bank updates these figures from Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey, so they measure what workers earn, not what a homeowner is billed for a finish-carpentry visit.
1. Ontario carpenters earn a median $32.00 an hour
Job Bank lists carpenter wages in Ontario at a low of $22.00, a median of $32.00 and a high of $48.00 an hour for 2023 to 2024. The figures were updated November 19, 2025 (Job Bank).
2. The Canada-wide median is $32.12 an hour
Nationally, Job Bank puts carpenter wages at $22.00 low, $32.12 median and $44.23 high. Ontario's high of $48.00 sits above the national high (Job Bank Canada).
3. Toronto Region carpenters earn a median $36.00 an hour
Job Bank's Toronto Region range is $22.00 to $48.43, with a $36.00 median. That is the highest regional median among Ontario's economic regions in the table (Job Bank).
4. Hamilton to Niagara sits at a $30.00 median
The Hamilton to Niagara Peninsula Region median is $30.00 an hour, with a low of $20.00 and a high of $45.00. Ottawa's median is $28.00, while Kitchener to Waterloo to Barrie is $32.50 (Job Bank).
Source: Job Bank, Carpenter in Ontario, updated November 19, 2025. CAD.
5. Northwest Ontario reaches a $35.00 median
The Northwest Region posts a $35.00 median, with a low of $27.00 and a high of $47.00. Stratford to Bruce Peninsula shows the widest high at $57.00, against a $30.00 median (Job Bank).
6. 70.9% of Ontario carpenters get non-wage benefits
Job Bank says 70.9% of Ontario workers in NOC 72310 receive at least one non-wage benefit, such as a pension or health plan, against 81.9% nationally (Job Bank).
Source: Job Bank.
How large is the carpenter workforce, and what is the outlook?
Ontario employs tens of thousands of carpenters, and most work in construction. Self-employment is more than twice the all-occupation average, which matters when you hire a solo finish carpenter versus a crew.
7. About 39,200 carpenters work in Ontario
Job Bank's outlook profile says approximately 39,200 people work as carpenters in Ontario. Construction (NAICS 23) employs 85% of them (Job Bank outlook).
8. 91% of Ontario carpenters work full time
Full-time work is 91% for carpenters, against 81% for all occupations. Part-time work is 9%, against 19% for all occupations (Job Bank outlook).
9. 35% of Ontario carpenters are self-employed
Self-employment runs at 35% for carpenters, against a 15% average for all occupations. That lines up with the owner-operator finish carpenters many homeowners meet on trim jobs (Job Bank outlook).
10. Half of Ontario carpenters work only part of the year
Job Bank says 50% of carpenters work all year and 50% work only part of the year, against 63% and 37% for all occupations. Those who work part of the year average 41 weeks (Job Bank outlook).
11. The Ontario outlook for 2025 to 2027 is Moderate
Job Bank rates the employment outlook as Moderate for carpenters in Ontario for 2025 to 2027. Employment growth and retirements both create a moderate number of openings. Residential and non-residential renovation and infrastructure projects support demand (Job Bank outlook).
12. Ottawa and Kingston to Pembroke are rated Good
Within Ontario, Job Bank rates Ottawa and Kingston to Pembroke as Good. The Toronto Region, Hamilton to Niagara, Kitchener to Waterloo to Barrie and most other regions are Moderate (Job Bank outlook).
13. More than 95% of Ontario carpenters are men
Job Bank reports that more than 95% of people in the occupation are men, against 52% for all occupations. Women make up less than 5% (Job Bank outlook).
14. 26% hold an apprenticeship or trades certificate
Educational attainment shows 26% with an apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma, against 8% for all occupations. Another 33% hold a high school diploma, and 17% have no high school diploma (Job Bank outlook).
How does carpenter certification work in Ontario?
Ontario treats General Carpenter as a voluntary skilled trade. That means certification proves competency, but it is not a legal barrier to working in the trade. Homeowners still need to check insurance, WSIB and any job-specific permits.
15. General Carpenter is a voluntary trade in Ontario
Skilled Trades Ontario says General Carpenter is named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, and is non-compulsory. The Certificate of Qualification does not have to be renewed, and practitioners do not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register (Skilled Trades Ontario).
16. The apprenticeship is 7,200 hours
Skilled Trades Ontario sets apprenticeship training at 7,200 hours, about four years. That breaks into 6,480 hours on the job and 720 hours of in-school training across three levels (Skilled Trades Ontario).
17. Red Seal endorsement is available for Carpenter
Ontario takes part in the Interprovincial Red Seal Program under the title Carpenter. A Red Seal endorsement on an Ontario certificate shows national-standard competency and supports work in other provinces without re-examination (Skilled Trades Ontario; Red Seal).
18. Ontario.ca says certification is voluntary for carpenters
Ontario's career profile states that trade certification for carpenters is voluntary in Ontario. It also notes that completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship, or a mix of work experience and courses, is usually required to be eligible for certification (ontario.ca).
How do US carpenter stats and homeowner trim costs compare?
US labour data and homeowner cost guides help set context, but they are in USD and are not Ontario invoices. Use them to sanity-check quotes, then confirm local CAD prices.
19. US carpenters earn a median $60,580 a year
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the May 2025 median pay for carpenters at $60,580 a year, or $29.12 an hour. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,410, and the highest 10% earned more than $99,910 (BLS).
20. The US employs about 889,700 carpenters
BLS counts about 889,700 carpenter jobs in 2025. Self-employed workers are 25% of employment, residential building construction 23% and building finishing contractors 13% (BLS).
21. US carpenter employment is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035
BLS projects 4% growth from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, adding about 35,000 jobs. About 62,800 openings a year are expected, many from replacements and retirements (BLS).
22. Homeowner interior trim averages $4 to $10 per linear foot installed
HomeGuide puts interior trim at $4 to $10 per linear foot installed, or $350 to $1,200 per room, in USD. Baseboard alone runs $6 to $9 per foot. Labour is $3 to $5 per foot of that total (HomeGuide; HomeGuide baseboard). For Ontario CAD rates, see our trim and molding statistics.
What this means for homeowners
- Expect skilled carpenter wages near $32 an hour in Ontario worker data, and higher retail rates on your invoice after overhead, travel and materials.
- Ask whether the person is a Red Seal or Certificate of Qualification holder, but do not treat that as a Toronto licence requirement for general carpentry.
- Confirm WSIB clearance, liability insurance and a written contract for any job over $50.
- For hourly rates and job prices, see our carpenter cost guide. For baseboard and casing budgets, start with our trim and baseboard cost guide. If carpentry is one part of a bigger renovation, see our general contractor cost guide.
- Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured pros and gives free fixed-price estimates. Compare trim and molding quotes in Toronto, handyman services in Toronto, the best handymen in Toronto, or request an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do carpenters earn in Ontario?
Job Bank lists a median wage of $32.00 an hour for carpenters in Ontario for 2023 to 2024, with a low of $22.00 and a high of $48.00. The Toronto Region median is $36.00 an hour. Those figures are worker wages in CAD, not the retail rate a homeowner pays for trim or framing.
Do carpenters need a licence in Ontario?
Trade certification for General Carpenter is voluntary in Ontario. Skilled Trades Ontario administers the apprenticeship and the Certificate of Qualification, but the certificate does not have to be renewed and practitioners do not appear on the public register. Specific jobs can still need other permits or trade licences.
How many carpenters work in Ontario?
Job Bank says approximately 39,200 people work as carpenters in Ontario. About 85% work in construction, 91% work full time and 35% are self-employed, against a 15% average for all occupations.
What is the job outlook for carpenters in Ontario?
Job Bank rates the employment outlook as Moderate for carpenters in Ontario for 2025 to 2027. Ottawa and Kingston to Pembroke are rated Good. The Toronto Region outlook is Moderate. Construction activity and renovations support demand.
How much does trim carpentry cost for homeowners?
HomeGuide puts interior trim at $4 to $10 per linear foot installed and baseboard at $6 to $9 per foot in USD. For Ontario CAD rates and whole-home budgets, see our trim and molding statistics and trim and baseboard cost guides. Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted pros for free.