Also called: Stage Carpenter, Set Builder
Builds the sets for theater, film, TV, and events.
They read set drawings, build walls and platforms, and rig moving scenery. During load-ins they work fast to get sets up. Many are union stagehands (IATSE).
Estimate; union stagehands earn more.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. On-the-job training; theater tech programs help.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Apprenticeship, 2-year college. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Theatre Technology, Carpentry (trade school).
Growing about average. Tied to entertainment production.
Low risk for 10 years. Building, rigging and loading in sets for live shows is physical work in changing spaces.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to scene shops, theaters and event companies for carpenter helper or overhire jobs
Classes: Woodshop or construction CTE, Theater tech crew, Geometry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 47-2031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.