Carpenter Apprenticeships in California

California has 11 registered apprenticeship sponsors training carpenters — 3 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.

Registered sponsors

Union / joint programs

Median carpenter wage

$74,820

California, all experience levels

Job growth 2022–2032

+9.3%

13,400 openings/yr

Largest Registered Sponsors

Union and joint labor-management programs are listed first — they typically pay the best apprentice rates and charge no tuition.

Sponsor	City	Program type
Bay Area Sheet Metal JATC Union / joint	Livermore	Multiple Employer
CARPENTERS TRAINING TRUST FUND FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MOSI Union / joint	Pleasanton	Multiple Employer
Southwest Carpenters and Affiliated Trades JATC Union / joint	Buena Park	Multiple Employer
Associated Builders and Contractors Northern Calif	Livermore	Multiple Employer
Associated General Contractors of America - San Diego Chapter	Lakeside	Multiple Employer
InnerCity Community Unilateral Apprenticeship Cmte	San Diego	Multiple Employer
Matrix Service Inc.	Irvine	Single Employer
National Industry Apprenticeship Development Center	Berkeley	Multiple Employer
NAVFAC SouthWest	San Diego	Single Employer
TPC Construction Inc.	Lancaster	Single Employer

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov). California runs its own state apprenticeship registration system, so these federal figures understate the true number of local programs.

What Carpenters Earn in California

Wages

Median annual wage: $74,820
Average annual wage: $77,680
Carpenters employed statewide: 106,500

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman rate and get scheduled raises.

10-year outlook

Projected growth 2022–2032: +9.3%
Average openings per year: 13,400
Employment: 141,100 → 154,200

Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.