Two Sides Of A Saw: Pros And Cons Of A Carpentry Career

Every job has its own pros and cons. Every professional chose to stay in the profession he has chosen even if it has disadvantages because of the different benefits they get from it. People who have chosen carpentry careers have advantages even if their jobs demand manual and physical work and exhaustion.

Carpentry had employed 1.2 million of people in the United States in 2002. More and more online courses on carpentry and other vocational jobs re being offered providing opportunity for distance learning and people who would like to have a another job while maintaining their current work. This only shows that more and more people are showing interests in carpentry.

A typical carpenter can earn an hourly rate of $32.27. Good money in carpentry of course depends on the carpenter’s work. Carpenters, especially those who are self-employed, rely much on recommendations. If the carpenter has good working history it is highly likely that his customers will be recommending him to other people.

Job openings or job availabilities are expected to be plentiful because of new homes being constructed, home remodelling or home building replacements. An average annual salary can range from less than $18,000 to more than $49,000. Again, this would depend on the experience as well as geographic area, union affiliation, economic times and the weather. Median salary is approximately $29,000.

Aside from the salary, people who are outdoorsy find carpentry as their calling. Even in basic carpentry, carpenters are not stationed and tied to their desks all day. Carpenters have a very mobile and active life, constantly meeting prospects and contacts for the projects.

Aside from not being tied to a desk, carpenters are also not stuck with the same type of work or machine everyday like in factories or in offices. Since their jobs depends on the projects, carpenters encounter a wide range of work throughout the year, like bridge building, house building, cabinet making, furniture making, etc.

Carpenters also have their time on their own hands. Physical exhaustion experienced during projects can be replaced by resting days when they don’t have any projects to attend to. Carpenters take advantage of slow work to have vacations.

Most of the carpenters are self-employed and some would have their own businesses. Knowing the field and its every corner can make a carpenter a very happy man by having a very successful business. Of course, there are carpenters who have decided to set up their own business after a few years of working for someone else. But this is a great way of learning much about the industry before establishing your own name.

Not only is the physicality of a carpenter is developed but also different skills. Knowledge in building construction is of course enhanced. Also knowledge in mathematics, engineering, technology, production, processing and design are developed. Who says carpentry is just another physical job?

There are others who do carpentry during the weekends while maintaining their regular jobs. They would take up light carpentry and do projects whish is really their line of interests.

Of course, there are also disadvantages for choosing a career in carpentry. There is physical exhaustion, hazards of outdoor jobs and in handling different mechanical equipment. There are also possibilities of being exposed to harmful construction materials like asbestos. But these occupational hazards can be avoided by following the work regulations.

Carpenters can also experience a slow time. Especially if the economy takes a downturn and housing is not really a priority in everyone’s pockets. But there will be light projects that carpenters can attend to every time.

Like in every other profession, carpentry career has its pros and cons. Every career has its downside, but still people choose the path to follow for their personal reasons may it be because of their interests or for financial reasons.