Carpentry at Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Carpenters

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 Carpentry 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 Carpentry career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #6 ranking among 15 Carpentry programs places Hawkeye Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 37 apprenticeship pathways connected to Carpentry reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
62
Score
63
High End
Earnings $44,602/yr (20% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (71% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (148,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$467K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
37.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$12,616
Out-of-state: $13,196

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Carpentry 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%
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
$78,690
+5.3% growth 57% AI-proof
Carpenters
$59,310
+4.5% growth 86% AI-proof

Carpentry Career Guide

Carpentry opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Carpentry career guide →

Compare & Explore

Carpentry Overview

Carpentry at Other Schools

Other Majors at Hawkeye Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Carpentry at Hawkeye Community College?
At 62/100, Hawkeye Community College's Carpentry program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Are there apprenticeship options for Carpentry?
There are 37 registered apprenticeships connected to Carpentry occupations, such as Boat Builder (Existing Title: Boat Builder, Wood) and Boatbuilder, Wood. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Carpentry graduates?
The very large job market (148,500 annual openings) works in favor of Carpentry graduates. The national outlook is driven by infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →