Carpenters


Architecture and Construction > Carpenters > Employment & Outlook
Occupation is in demand.
110200
100265
Carpenters

Carpenters - Employment & Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Employment

Major employers:

  • House construction companies
  • Office and industrial building construction companies
  • Framing contractors
  • Finish carpentry contractors

Outlook

Job growth for carpenters will be slower than average. Demand for housing increases as the population grows. Jobs will also be created when government spending increases for projects such as bridges and roads. 

However, builders are using more pre-built components, such as wall panels and stairs. These can be installed very quickly, lowering the need for carpenters. In addition, improved glues and lightweight, cordless tools make carpenters more efficient.

Carpenters sometimes have periods of unemployment. This is due to the short-term nature of many jobs and construction slow downs during colder months. During economic slowdowns, the number of job openings for carpenters declines. Carpenters who have all-round skills will have the best job prospects.

Carpenters (CIS 100265)

Location Employment & Growth >>>> Annual openings



This occupation
All occupations


Illinois
31,602
Very large
&
4.3%
8.2%
>>>>
3,091
Very High
  Champaign Area
820
Very large
&
-0.7%
5.2%
>>>>
74
Moderate
  Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area
783
Very large
&
-0.3%
2.9%
>>>>
72
Moderate
  Cook County
11,469
Very large
&
6.8%
9.2%
>>>>
1,164
Very High
  Decatur Area
588
Very large
&
2.9%
3.8%
>>>>
56
High
  DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area
1,961
Very large
&
4.0%
10.3%
>>>>
191
High
  Du Page County
3,485
Very large
&
2.9%
8.8%
>>>>
333
High
  Edwardsville Area
842
Very large
&
4.0%
12.4%
>>>>
82
High
  Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area
246
Large
&
-5.7%
-0.2%
>>>>
21
Few
  Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area
556
Very large
&
-0.7%
6.0%
>>>>
51
Moderate
  Lake County
1,944
Very large
&
8.3%
11.7%
>>>>
201
High
  McHenry County
930
Very large
&
6.5%
7.6%
>>>>
94
High
  Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area
456
Large
&
-3.9%
4.4%
>>>>
39
Few
  Northwest Illinois Area
646
Very large
&
3.1%
4.3%
>>>>
62
Moderate
  Peoria-Bloomington Area
1,470
Very large
&
1.4%
4.5%
>>>>
137
High
  Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area
497
Large
&
-1.4%
3.5%
>>>>
44
Moderate
  Rock Island-Moline Area
540
Very large
&
-1.7%
5.6%
>>>>
48
Moderate
  Rockford Area
942
Very large
&
4.7%
6.6%
>>>>
92
High
  Shawnee National Forest Area
174
Large
&
-6.3%
1.1%
>>>>
14
Few
  Springfield Area
663
Very large
&
0.5%
4.6%
>>>>
61
Moderate
  St Louis-Belleville Area
923
Very large
&
-1.2%
0.9%
>>>>
83
High
  Vermilion County
132
Large
&
-17.4%
-0.5%
>>>>
10
Few
  Will County
1,845
Very large
&
6.5%
14.9%
>>>>
187
High
United States
956,300
Very large
&
0.9%
2.8%
>>>>
79,500
Very High
Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security.