Carpenter at Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice and Training Program - St. Louis Campus

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice and Training Program - St. Louis Campus in St. Louis, MO

About This Program

The Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice and Training Program - St. Louis Campus sponsors a registered Carpenter apprenticeship program in St. Louis, MO. This employer-sponsored program is part of a regional network of carpenter training, offering paid, structured instruction for individuals entering the trade in the greater St. Louis area.

The four-year program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside experienced carpenters building skills in structural framing, concrete formwork, finish carpentry, and interior system installation. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, construction safety, building codes, and trade mathematics.

Successful graduates earn journeyman carpenter status, a credential that supports long-term career opportunities across commercial, residential, and industrial construction in Missouri and beyond. Apprentices are compensated throughout the program, with wages that increase as they complete each training 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.

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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