Carpenters at Hawkeye Community College
with a smaller student body of 2,528 in Waterloo, IA.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $44,602 at Hawkeye Community College come in 20% above the national median of $37,206 for Carpenters programs.
With a 37.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Carpenters career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.
A #6 ranking among 15 Carpenters programs places Hawkeye Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The 37 apprenticeship pathways connected to Carpenters reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Carpenters graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers | $78,690 | +5.3% | 57% |
| Carpenters | $59,310 | +4.5% | 86% |
About Carpenters Careers
You’ll start your career with a tool belt strapped on, working on residential or commercial job sites. Your days will involve reading blueprints, measuring and cutting lumber with power saws, and framing walls or building staircases with precision. As your skills sharpen, you’ll advance from an apprentice to a journeyman carpenter, trusted with more complex projects like custom cabinetry or detailed finish work. This is hands-on work that can’t be automated or done from a desk; you are physically building and shaping the world.