Carpenters build coordination, quality control analysis and complex problem solving skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic (85%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | 85% | $63,870 | +5% | None |
| 2 | Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | 81% | $51,330 | −15% | None |
| 3 | Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters | 77% | $47,550 | −22% | None |
| 4 | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 77% | $53,750 | −11% | None |
| 5 | Riggers | 76% | $62,640 | +3% | None |
| 6 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 75% | $65,380 | +8% | None |
| 7 | Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | 75% | $57,430 | −5% | None |
| 8 | Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | 73% | $61,390 | +1% | None |
| 9 | Helpers--Carpenters | 73% | $43,780 | −28% | None |
| 10 | Hoist and Winch Operators | 72% | $56,450 | −7% | None |
Compared with Carpenters, median $60,580. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as carpenters (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
85% skill match · $63,870 · +5% pay
Operations Analysis
81% skill match · $51,330 · −15% pay
77% skill match · $47,550 · −22% pay
Troubleshooting
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic (85% skill match, median $63,870), Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (81% skill match, median $51,330) and Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters (77% skill match, median $47,550), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 10 pay more than carpenters at the median. The biggest increases: Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (+57%, $95,320), Roof Bolters, Mining (+30%, $78,540) and Commercial Divers (+20%, $72,990).
24 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.