Carpenter Apprenticeship in Nebraska

Wages, programs & career outlook
NE Median Salary
$49,590/yr
-16% vs. national
National Median
$59,310/yr
NE Employment
6,550
Carpenters employed
NE Sponsors
316
Registered programs

Nebraska Wage Spread

Annual wages for Carpenters in Nebraska across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$37,930
25th %ile
$44,430
Median
$49,590
75th %ile
$61,470
90th %ile
$68,760

Carpenter Apprenticeship in Nebraska

The $49,590 median for Nebraska Carpenters tracks close to the national all-occupation average. The value here is in the apprenticeship model: earn while you learn, graduate debt-free.

At $49,590/yr, Nebraska is one of the lower-paying states for Carpenters — 16% below the $59,310 national median. Apprentices here should weigh relocation after completing their term.

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.

Only 6,550 Carpenters work in Nebraska — 0.8% of the national total. The limited scale can mean fewer formal apprenticeship programs, pushing some candidates toward nearby states with larger trade economies.

The pathway to journeyman Carpenter takes 4 years of structured training — 8,000 hours total. Apprentices divide time between the jobsite and technical education in blueprint reading, building codes, and material estimation, earning progressively higher wages throughout.

Apprenticeship seekers in Nebraska can contact any of 316 registered sponsors. Coverage is solid in metro areas, though rural regions may have fewer options for specific trades.

Carpenter compensation in Nebraska runs from $37,930 to $68,760 — a compressed $30,830 range. Less wage variation typically means more predictable career economics but fewer breakout earning opportunities.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Nebraska

316 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Nebraska. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
Freeman Public Schools Adams
Brown County Hospital dba Ainsworth Family Clinic Ainsworth
Allen Consolidated Schools Allen
CITY OF ALLIANCE Alliance Box Butte County
Panhandle Rural Electric (NREA) Alliance Box Butte County
West Holt Memorial Hospital Atkinson
City of Auburn (KMU) Auburn Nemaha County
Mars Petcare Aurora
Trucker Force Aurora Hamilton County
Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schools Bancroft
ELKHORN RURAL PUBLIC POWER (NREA) Battle Creek Madison County
Chimney Rock PPD (NREA) Bayard Morrill County
Beatrice Community Hospital Beatrice
Nebraska Department of Labor Beatrice Career Center Beatrice
MIDWEST REBAR SERVICES LLC Belleview
Cornerstone Christian School Bellevue
Aire Serv of Omaha Belview
Allied Electrical Contractors Bennington
Bennington Public Schools Bennington
Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Center Bennington
Gethmann Construction Co., Inc. Blair
CITY OF BRIDGEPORT (KMU) Bridgeport Morrill County
CITY OF BROKEN BOW (KMU) Broken Bow Custer County
Custer PPD (NREA) Broken Bow Custer County
Twin Valleys Public Power District (NREA) Cambridge Furnas County
+ 5 more sponsors in Nebraska

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Carpenters earn in Nebraska?
The median annual wage for Carpenters in Nebraska is $49,590 as of May 2024. Wages range from $37,930 at the 10th percentile to $68,760 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.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Carpenters?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Carpenters, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
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 Nebraska?
Contact one of the 316 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Nebraska, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
How much do Carpenter apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $24,795/yr in Nebraska). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Carpenter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Nebraska

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