Main duties
People in this unit group perform some or all of the following 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
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in carpentry is usually required to be eligible for trade certification
- Trade certification for carpenters is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories
- Trade certification for framers is available, but voluntary, in Saskatchewan
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified carpenters upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination
Job titles in NOC 72310
63 job titles are classified in this unit group.
- access floor specialist carpenter
- apprentice boat carpenter
- apprentice carpenter
- apprentice carpenter-joiner
- boat carpenter
- boat joiner
- boatbuilding apprentice
- bridge carpenter
- building addition carpenter
- building carpenter
- carpenter
- carpenter lead hand
- carpenter rough
- carpenter-joiner
- carpentry repairman/woman
- concrete forms carpenter
- construction carpenter
- construction technician - Canadian Armed Forces
- dock carpenter
- finish carpenter
- floor systems carpenter
- form builder - carpentry
- form carpenter
- framer-carpenter
- framing carpenter
- house carpenter
- interior finish carpenter
- interior finish joiner
- interior systems carpenter
- interior trimmer carpenter
Show all 63 job titles
- journeyman/woman carpenter
- log home builder
- log home carpenter
- log home carpenter-builder
- maintenance carpenter
- maintenance carpenter-joiner
- maintenance joiner
- manufactured house carpenter
- metal framer - carpentry
- mill carpenter
- mine carpenter
- plant carpenter
- prefabricated house carpenter
- prefabricated structure carpenter
- railway rolling stock carpenter
- railway rolling stock joiner
- renovation carpenter
- restoration carpenter
- rough carpenter
- ship joiner
- shipbuilding carpenter
- shipbuilding joiner
- sign carpenter
- stage carpenter
- stair builder-carpenter
- stairway carpenter
- steel framer - carpentry
- steel stud framer - carpentry
- studio carpenter
- wood frame carpenter
- wood frame house carpenter
- wood shipwright
- wooden boatbuilder
Wages for NOC 72310 by province
Hourly wages from Job Bank for carpenters.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $22.00 | $32.00 | $48.00 |
| British Columbia | $23.00 | $32.00 | $43.71 |
| Alberta | $22.22 | $34.00 | $42.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $19.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 |
| Manitoba | $20.00 | $27.00 | $38.99 |
| Quebec | $24.61 | $36.84 | $44.00 |
| New Brunswick | $18.00 | $24.00 | $34.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.00 | $25.00 | $33.80 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $27.00 | $39.27 |
| Canada | $22.00 | $32.12 | $44.23 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $21.50 | $28.00 | $43.97 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $20.00 | $26.00 | $42.79 |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas | $22.00 | $32.00 | $48.00 |
| Toronto | $22.00 | $36.00 | $48.43 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $23.50 | $32.50 | $48.00 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $20.00 | $30.00 | $45.00 |
| London | $24.00 | $32.00 | $44.00 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $22.00 | $30.00 | $38.00 |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula | $19.00 | $30.00 | $57.00 |
| Northeast | $23.05 | $31.99 | $45.32 |
| Northwest | $27.00 | $35.00 | $47.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025.
Career progression and other notes
The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Similar occupations classified elsewhere
These occupations look related but belong to a different NOC unit group.
- Cabinetmakers: NOC 72311, Cabinetmakers
- Carpenter supervisor: NOC 72013, Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
- Woodworking machine operators: NOC 94124, Woodworking machine operators
Hiring for this occupation in Ontario?
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Questions about NOC 72310
What is NOC 72310?
NOC 72310 is Carpenters, a unit group in the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). It belongs to the broad category trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations and to TEER 2.
What TEER is NOC 72310?
NOC 72310 is TEER 2. TEER 2 generally means: college program of 2 to 3 years, apprenticeship of 2 to 5 years, or a supervisory or safety role.
What job titles are in NOC 72310?
The unit group includes 63 job titles, for example apprentice carpenter, carpenter, carpenter-joiner, finish carpenter, journeyman/woman carpenter, maintenance carpenter.
How much do carpenters earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of $32.12 per hour for carpenters, and $32.00 in Ontario. The highest provincial median is in Quebec at $36.84 (reference period 2023-2024).
Which occupations are similar to NOC 72310?
Related occupations classified in other unit groups include cabinetmakers (NOC 72311); carpenter supervisor (NOC 72013); woodworking machine operators (NOC 94124).
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada
- Job Bank wages
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