Carpenters at Western Technical College
a smaller institution with 3,434 students in La Crosse, WI.
Program Analysis
Western Technical College's Carpenters graduates start at $43,008/yr — above the $37,206 national average, though not by a wide margin.
With a 95.4x 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.
Western Technical College ranks #3 among 15 Carpenters programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
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.