About Carpentry Technology

Get hands-on training in residential and commercial carpentry at Green River College (GRC). You can earn professional certificates or complete an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Carpentry Technology.

Our graduates are in high demand!

Learn the Skills Employers Want

Our program covers all the key areas of the carpentry trade, including:

  • Reading blueprints
  • Building foundations and pouring concrete
  • Framing walls and roofs
  • Interior and exterior finish work

Learn by Doing

Your classroom is a 5,500-square-foot shop—big enough to build two full-size houses!
You’ll build real projects in the shop and also work on actual job sites for real customers.

Scroll down to explore sample pathways, full degree details, and career outlook information.

Are you looking for the old web page? Visit the previous Carepentry web page.

Contact Us

Robert Bean
Carpentry Technology Faculty
(253) 833-9111 ext. 6473

Kyle Boroughs
Carpentry Technology Faculty
(253) 833-9111 ext. 5485

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Cost of Attending

 

Associate Degree and Certificate Options

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Carpentry Technology-Residential and Light Commercial, AAS
This degree program prepares individuals to become successfully employed in the field of construction. Students can also apply these skills to a variety of jobs within the residential construction field.

Length of Program: 90-97 Credits, 6 quarters, 2 years
Location: Main Campus - Trades Technology (TT) buildings
Mode of Instruction: In-person, Hybrid, Online
Explore Sample Pathway
Full Details

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Carpentry Technology Certificate

This certificate program prepares individuals to become successfully employed in the field of construction. Students can also apply these skills to a variety of jobs within the residential construction field.

Length of Program: 43 Credits, 9 months, 3 quarters
Location: Main - Trades Technology (TT) buildings
Mode of Instruction: In-person, Hybrid, Online

Explore Sample Pathway
Full Details
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Carpentry Technology Light Commercial Certificate

This certificate prepares students for entry level employment in the light commercial construction industry. Completion of this certificate provides students with foundational knowledge and hands on skills in commercial building techniques, materials, and industry practices. The program is designed to enhance students' employment opportunities by preparing them with the technical competencies expected by commercial construction employers. The curriculum offers a sequence of coursework that builds progressively toward career readiness in the light commercial construction sector.

Length of Program: 44 Credits, 9 months, 3 quarters
Location: Main - Trades Technology (TT) buildings
Mode of Instruction: In-person, Hybrid, Online

Explore Sample Pathway
Full Details
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Residential Interior and Exterior Finish Certificate

This certificate prepares the student with the basic skills and knowledge required to find employment with specialty or general contractors whose focus is either Exterior or Interior finishes.

Length of Program: 30 credits, 9 months, 3 quarters
Location: Main - Trades Technology (TT) buildings
Mode of Instruction: In-person, Hybrid, Online

Full Details

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Carpentry Technology - Concrete Forming and Placement Certificate

This certificate prepares students to find employment with residential specialty and/or general contractor whose primary focus is foundations and/or concrete flatwork.

Length of Program: 16 credits, 3 months, 1 quarter
Location: Main - Trades Technology (TT) buildings
Mode of Instruction: In-person, Hybrid, Online

Full Details
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Carpentry Technology - Framing Level 1 Certificate

This certificate prepares students with the basic skills and knowledge required to find employment with specialty or general contractors whose focus is residential and/or light commercial framing (i.e., floors, walls, truss roofs, light metal framing, etc.).

Length of Program: 19 credits, 6 months, 2 quarters
Location: Main - Trades Technology (TT) buildings
Mode of Instruction: In-person, Hybrid, Online

Full Details
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Carpentry Technology - Framing Level 2 Certificate

This certificate prepares students with the basic skills and knowledge required to find employment with specialty or general contractors whose focus is residential and/or light commercial framing (*i.e., floors, walls, truss roofs, light metal framing, etc.) 

Length of Program: 27 credits, 6 months, 2 quarters
Location: Main - Trades Technology (TT) buildings
Mode of Instruction: In-person, Hybrid, Online

Full Details

Career Outlook

A degree in Carpentry Technology can lead to a strong and steady career. Carpenters are needed in many areas—homes, businesses, schools, and more.

Right now, there’s a high demand for skilled workers. Many experienced carpenters are retiring, and new construction projects are growing fast across Washington State and beyond.

With this degree, you can work as a:

  • Residential or commercial carpenter
  • Framing or finish carpenter
  • Construction crew member
  • Building maintenance worker
  • Contractor or small business owner

You can work for a company or even start your own business. As you gain experience, you can move into leadership roles or project management.

Carpentry jobs often offer:

  • Good pay
  • Job security
  • Opportunities to grow your skills

If you like building things, solving problems, and working with your hands, carpentry is a great career choice.

View the Career and Program Explorer