Carpenter Apprenticeship in Maine

Wages, programs & career outlook
ME Median Salary
$59,190/yr
-0% vs. national
National Median
$59,310/yr
ME Employment
4,830
Carpenters employed
ME Sponsors
370
Registered programs

Maine Wage Spread

Annual wages for Carpenters in Maine across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$46,670
25th %ile
$49,670
Median
$59,190
75th %ile
$64,110
90th %ile
$75,220

Carpenter Apprenticeship in Maine

At $59,190/yr, Maine Carpenters earn a meaningful premium over the $48,060 national average — 23% more without requiring a bachelor's degree.

The $59,190 median in Maine is within striking distance of the $59,310 national figure. Average wages, but apprenticeships here may still offer strong local placement.

The employment outlook is solid if unspectacular: 4.5% growth projected through 2034 for Carpenters. What matters more than the growth rate is the 74,100 annual openings — mostly from retirements — that keep demand steady.

Only 4,830 Carpenters work in Maine — 0.6% of the national total. The limited scale can mean fewer formal apprenticeship programs, pushing some candidates toward nearby states with larger trade economies.

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.

Maine has 370 organizations running registered apprenticeship programs. Start with your local trade union or check apprenticeship.gov — the state's mid-range sponsor count means programs exist but may not be around every corner.

The wage band for Carpenters in Maine is narrow: $46,670 to $75,220 at the extremes. The $28,550 range means compensation is relatively standardized, often set by union contracts or prevailing wage rates.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Maine

370 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Maine. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
County of York Alfred York County
Dobson Funeral Services Arundel York County
Davis Ulmer Auburn Androscoggin County
H.E. Callahan Construction Inc. Auburn
Panolam Industries, Inc. Auburn Androscoggin County
Riverwatch, LLC, dba Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch Auburn
SLH Maine Manager LLC dba Clover Healthcare Auburn
Station Class Constructors Auburn
W.D. Matthews Machinery Co. Auburn Androscoggin County
Associated General Contractors of Maine, Inc. Augusta Kennebec County
Augusta CareerCenter Augusta
CPK Manufacturing DBA Kenway Composites Augusta
Central/Western Maine Workforce Investment Board Augusta
City of Augusta Augusta Kennebec County
Ganneston Construction Corp. Augusta
HospitalityMaine Augusta Kennebec County
HospitalityMaine Education Foundation Augusta
Kennebec Technologies Augusta
Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home Augusta
Maine Department of Corrections Augusta Kennebec County
Maine Department of Health and Human Services Augusta Kennebec County
Maine Department of Labor, Maine Apprenticeship Program Augusta
Maine Department of Marine Resources - Bureau of Marine Patrol Augusta Kennebec County
Maine State Apprenticeship Agency Augusta
Maine State Workforce Board Augusta
+ 5 more sponsors in Maine

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Carpenters earn in Maine?
Carpenters in Maine earn a median salary of $59,190/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $59,310 for the trade.
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.
Are Carpenter jobs growing?
Demand for Carpenters is steady, with 4.5% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
How do I find a Carpenter apprenticeship in Maine?
Contact one of the 370 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Maine, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
Do Carpenter apprentices get paid during training?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $29,595/yr in Maine). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Carpenter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Maine

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