Carpenter at Kaw Valley Carpenters

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Kaw Valley Carpenters in Kansas City, MO

About This Program

Kaw Valley Carpenters sponsors a registered Carpenter apprenticeship program in Kansas City, MO. This employer-sponsored, time-based program offers paid training for individuals ready to pursue a skilled carpentry career in the Kansas City area's dynamic construction industry.

The four-year program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop core carpentry competencies in structural framing, concrete formwork, finish work, and interior systems while working under the guidance of experienced journeymen. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, jobsite safety, applicable building codes, and construction mathematics.

Completing all program requirements earns apprentices journeyman carpenter status, a credential that supports ongoing employment across residential, commercial, and industrial construction in the Kansas City metro and throughout Missouri. The program is paid from the start, with wages increasing as apprentices gain skills and advance through each program level.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$26

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

8,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

576

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

4 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.

How to Apply

Carpenter Career Outlook

National Median

$25.87/hr

~$53,809.6/yr

Apprentice Start

$14.5/hr

Earn while you learn

Job Outlook

Carpenter employment is projected to grow in line with construction activity. Residential building, commercial renovation, and infrastructure projects all drive demand. Carpenters with diverse skills across framing, finishing, and concrete work have the strongest prospects. The trade continues to face a shortage of younger workers, creating opportunities for new entrants.

What to Expect as a Carpenter Apprentice

Duration

4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction

On-the-Job Training

~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)

Classroom Instruction

576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)

Paid Training

You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress

Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Carpenter

Apprenticeship

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration4 years
Starting wage$14.50/hr
Journeyman wage$25.87/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

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