Carpenter Apprenticeship in Louisiana

Wages, programs & career outlook
LA Median Salary
$49,660/yr
-16% vs. national
National Median
$59,310/yr
LA Employment
8,820
Carpenters employed
LA Sponsors
372
Registered programs

Louisiana Wage Spread

Annual wages for Carpenters in Louisiana across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$32,220
25th %ile
$40,400
Median
$49,660
75th %ile
$61,640
90th %ile
$67,110

Carpenter Apprenticeship in Louisiana

At $49,660 per year, Carpenter wages in Louisiana are near the national median of $48,060. Combine that with zero tuition and the effective return exceeds what the raw salary suggests.

Carpenter wages in Louisiana ($49,660) lag the national median by 16%. The significant gap suggests either low demand, weak union presence, or a depressed local construction market.

Looking ahead to 2034, Carpenter employment should expand by 4.5%. That translates to roughly 74,100 openings annually when you factor in retirements — enough to absorb most apprenticeship completers.

At just 1.1% of the national Carpenter workforce (8,820 employed), Louisiana has a compact market. Apprenticeship programs may be concentrated in one or two metro areas rather than spread across the state.

At 8,000 hours over 4 years, the Carpenter apprenticeship is comprehensive. You'll spend most of your time working alongside certified professionals, supplemented by classroom training in blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation. Every hour is paid.

Apprenticeship seekers in Louisiana can contact any of 372 registered sponsors. Coverage is solid in metro areas, though rural regions may have fewer options for specific trades.

Apprentices entering the Carpenter trade in Louisiana start near the $32,220 floor but have a clear path to $67,110 — a $34,890 arc that reflects how the trade values experience and skill accumulation.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Louisiana

372 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Louisiana. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
RedIron Construction 528 Ingleside East Baton Rouge Parish County
Samantha January Abbeville
Vermilion American Job Center Abbeville
Tessa Holloway Addis
Alexandria Electrical JATC Alexandria Rapides Parish
Alexandria Pipe Trades JATC Alexandria Rapides Parish
Rapides American Job Center Alexandria
Rapides Parish Workforce Investment Board Alexandria
Shelton Energy Solutions Alexandria Rapides Parish
Southland Steel Fabricators, Inc. Amite
Southland Steel Fabricators, Inc. Welding Amite Tangipahoa Parish
Tangipahoa Parish School System Amite
Jolly Kids Too Arabi
Ameshia Romar/Beginning of Knowledge,LLC Arnaudville
West Jefferson American Job Center Avondale
2 X C Double Land Management Basile Acadia Parish
Apprentix Bastrop Montgomery County
Blattner Company Bastrop Morehouse Parish
Delta Healthcare Management Bastrop
Lagniappe Healthcare, LLC Bastrop
Morehouse American Job Center Bastrop
ABC - Pelican Baton Rouge East Baton Rouge Parish
AIMHIGH EDUCATION TECHNOLOGIES REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM Baton Rouge East Baton Rouge Parish
ARKEL INTERNATIONAL Baton Rouge
Apprenti Louisiana Baton Rouge Lafayette Parish
+ 5 more sponsors in Louisiana

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Carpenters make in Louisiana?
The median annual wage for Carpenters in Louisiana is $49,660 as of May 2024. Wages range from $32,220 at the 10th percentile to $67,110 at the 90th percentile.
How many years does it take to become a Carpenter through apprenticeship?
A typical Carpenter apprenticeship lasts approximately 4 years (8,000 hours of on-the-job training). The program combines paid work experience with related classroom instruction.
What's the difference between a Carpenter apprenticeship and trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Carpenters combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
What is the job outlook for Carpenters?
Demand for Carpenters is steady, with 4.5% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
Where can I apply for a Carpenter apprenticeship in Louisiana?
There are 372 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Louisiana. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
How much do Carpenter apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $24,830/yr in Louisiana). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Carpenter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Louisiana

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.