Carpentry at Western Technical College

La Crosse, WI · Public · Certificate · Carpenters

a smaller institution with 3,434 students in La Crosse, WI.

Program Analysis

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

Western Technical College ranks #3 among 15 Carpentry programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
72
Score
73
High End
Earnings $43,008/yr (16% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (71% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (148,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$450K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
95.4x
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)
$4,716
Out-of-state: $6,909

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 Western Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Carpentry at Western Technical College?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Western Technical College's Carpentry graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
What makes Western Technical College's Carpentry program stand out?
The #3 ranking out of 15 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Carpentry program at Western Technical College?
Yes — 37 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Carpentry career paths, including Boat Builder (Existing Title: Boat Builder, Wood). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Western Technical College.
Will Carpentry graduates from Western Technical College find jobs?
At 148,500 annual openings, Carpentry has a very large employment base. Western Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given infrastructure investment and steady replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →