Carpenter at Western Missouri Carpenters Jap

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Western Missouri Carpenters Jap in Kansas City, MO

About This Program

Western Missouri Carpenters JAP sponsors a registered Carpenter apprenticeship program in Kansas City, MO. This employer-sponsored program provides paid carpentry training for individuals looking to launch a skilled trade career in one of Missouri's largest and most active construction markets.

The four-year program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop hands-on skills in structural framing, concrete formwork, finish carpentry, and interior systems installation. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, safety protocols, building codes, and trade mathematics to support success in the field.

Graduates earn journeyman carpenter credentials that open doors to steady employment across residential, commercial, and industrial construction in the Kansas City area and throughout western Missouri. The program is paid from day one, with wages that increase at each stage of training as apprentices build their skills and experience.

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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