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Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities
Bureau of Labor Statistics > Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities > Publications > Snapshots

Carpenters, 2015‐2019


Background

Carpenters construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials such as concrete forms, building frameworks (including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters), wood stairways, window/door frames, and hardwood floors. They may also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation.

As of May 2019, there were 734,170 people employed in this occupation. The average hourly wage was $25.41 and the average annual wage was $52,850.

Nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses

In private industry for this occupation, there were 11,670 nonfatal injury and illness cases requiring days away from work during 2019. The incidence rate per 10,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers was 189.

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Table 1. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work by selected case characteristics, carpenters, private industry, 2019
Case characteristic[1]Number of cases

Nature of injury or illness

Sprains, strains, tears

3,180

Fractures

2,540

Soreness, pain

1,720

Cuts, lacerations

1,640

All other natures

1,240

Part of body affected

Hand

2,390

Back

1,320

Knee

1,160

Ankle

1,030

Shoulder

930

Source of injury or illness

All other sources

2,380

Parts and materials

2,060

Worker motion or position

1,660

Handtools

1,330

Floors, walkways, ground surfaces

1,080

Event or exposure leading to injury or illness

Struck by object or equipment

2,710

Fall to lower level

2,570

Struck against object or equipment

1,080

Fall on same level

1,050

Slips, trips without fall

760

[1] Data shown correspond to Nature, Part, Source, and Event codes based on the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System 2.01 developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

Fatal occupational injuries

Fatal work injuries totaled 99 for carpenters during 2019, compared to 86 during 2018.

Table 2. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, carpenters, all United States, 2015-2019
Event or exposure[1][2]20152016201720182019

Total fatal injuries (number)

83991018699

Violence and other injuries by persons or animals

–6–8–

Transportation incidents

10871110

Fires and explosions

–––––

Falls, slips, trips

5266644357

Exposure to harmful substances or environments

912141112

Contact with objects and equipment

106101313

[1] CFOI data by event are only provided if there are fatal case counts in three or more of the six event categories. For more information visit: https://www.bls.gov/iif/overview/cfoi.htm.

[2] Data shown correspond to Event codes based on the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System 2.01 developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Note: Dashes indicate data do not meet BLS publication guidelines.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

Sources

Wage and employment estimates come from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program. Injury and illness information come from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). For more information on SOII and CFOI program concepts and definitions see the SOII Handbook of Methods and the CFOI Handbook of Methods.

 

Last Modified Date: August 5, 2021