Also called: Propmaker, Scenic Carpenter
Builds the walls, floors, stairs, and structures of movie and TV sets.
A set carpenter frames a fake brick building in two days, builds walls that can be removed for camera access, and sometimes constructs breakaway furniture for stunts.
Approximate; union film carpenters earn more than average carpenters (BLS median ~$59k).
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Apprenticeship, about 1 year after high school. Carpentry skills; trade school or apprenticeship helps.
Ways in: Apprenticeship, Trade school, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Carpentry (trade school), Theater Technology.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Carpenter growth averages ~4%.
Low risk for 10 years. CNC routers cut some parts, but building custom sets fast on tight deadlines stays skilled hands-on carpentry.
Classes: Woodshop, Construction CTE, Geometry, Theater tech crew.
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.