Carpenter: career path and pay in the UK
Where a Carpenter goes next, what each step typically pays in the United Kingdom, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Apprentice Carpenter to Carpentry Contractor / Business Owner.
Also for the United States: Carpenter in the US
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Apprentice Carpenter
£15K to £25K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Apprenticeship Program (in progress) - US/UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification (required) - Global.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
Journeyman Carpenter
£25K to £35K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Journeyman Carpenter Certification - US, NVQ Level 3 Carpentry - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Master Carpenter / Carpenter Supervisor
£30K to £45K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Master Carpenter Certification - US, NVQ Level 4 Carpentry - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Business License (optional) - Global.
Step 4 · 10+ years
Carpentry Contractor / Business Owner
£35K to £55K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Master Carpenter Certification - US, NVQ Level 4 Carpentry - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Business License - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
£15K to £25K → £35K to £55K
UK estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale UK.
What the work involves
Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Mathematics
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Public Safety and Security
Education people bring
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED): 52%
- Post-Secondary Certificate: 22%
- Less than a High School Diploma: 18%
Job Zone 2, job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Other paths from here
- General Contractor
- Construction Manager
- Cabinet Maker
- Furniture Maker
More Skilled Trades paths in the UK
Related occupations in O*NET: Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, Structural Iron and Steel Workers, Brickmasons and Blockmasons, Sheet Metal Workers, Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale UK, UK national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor UK, Indeed UK and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to £5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.