Retraining Report
Find training

Carpentry classes in Chicago, Illinois

12 carpentry programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

8 schools offer these carpentry programs with classes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area, and every one is approved for workforce funding: 11 by Illinois and 1 by Indiana. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Carpenters build, repair and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials. Most have a high school diploma and learn on the job or through an apprenticeship.1 In Chicago, 2 of the 12 programs take students without a high school diploma, and 7 are taught partly or fully online.

See the 12 programs

All 12 carpentry programs in Illinois, including online programs

How much do carpentry classes cost in Chicago?

$4,497

is the price of the one program that lists a price, if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not reported
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Length
35 to 66 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Chicago may also offer carpentry classes. How these figures are made

Are there free carpentry classes in Chicago?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: paid apprenticeships, financial aid and the GI Bill

All 12 carpentry programs in Chicago approved for WIOA funding

Filters
What you need to enroll
Kind of program
How it's taught
How to show the list

12 programs

  • Carpentry apprenticeshipHybridEducation and courses

    Carpenter

    Three Kingdoms Construction Company

    Hammond

    Education and courses

    Three Kingdoms Construction Company, Hammond · Carpentry apprenticeship · Hybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,497
    Program website, Carpenter at Three Kingdoms Construction Company
    More details about Carpenter at Three Kingdoms Construction Company
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $4,497

  • Short course or single levelIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    CORE/Carpentry Level 1

    Associated Builders and Contractors

    Elk Grove Village

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Associated Builders and Contractors, Elk Grove Village · Short course or single level · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, CORE/Carpentry Level 1 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    More details about CORE/Carpentry Level 1 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Carpentry apprenticeshipHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Carpenter

    Three Kingdoms Construction

    Chicago

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Three Kingdoms Construction, Chicago · Carpentry apprenticeship · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Carpenter at Three Kingdoms Construction
    More details about Carpenter at Three Kingdoms Construction
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    74 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Carpentry apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Carpenter

    Gmp Labs

    Chicago

    No diploma needed

    Gmp Labs, Chicago · Carpentry apprenticeship · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Carpenter at Gmp Labs
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    200 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Carpentry certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Carpentry

    Triton College

    River Grove

    Education and courses

    Triton College, River Grove · Carpentry certificate or diploma · In person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Carpentry at Triton College
    More details about Carpentry at Triton College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Carpentry apprenticeshipHybridNo diploma needed

    Carpentry

    Education Design Development & Research Corporation - RAP Chicago

    Chicago

    No diploma needed

    Education Design Development & Research Corporation - RAP Chicago, Chicago · Carpentry apprenticeship · Hybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Carpentry at Education Design Development & Research Corporation - RAP Chicago
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    241 weeks, 38 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Short course or single levelHybridEducation and courses

    Carpentry 3

    Associated Builders and Contractors

    Elk Grove Village

    Education and courses

    Associated Builders and Contractors, Elk Grove Village · Short course or single level · Hybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Carpentry 3 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    More details about Carpentry 3 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    40 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Short course or single levelIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Carpentry Level 2

    Associated Builders and Contractors

    Elk Grove Village

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Associated Builders and Contractors, Elk Grove Village · Short course or single level · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Carpentry Level 2 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    More details about Carpentry Level 2 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Short course or single levelHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Carpentry Level 3

    Associated Builders and Contractors

    Elk Grove Village

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Associated Builders and Contractors, Elk Grove Village · Short course or single level · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Carpentry Level 3 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    More details about Carpentry Level 3 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Short course or single levelHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Carpentry Level 4

    Associated Builders and Contractors

    Elk Grove Village

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Associated Builders and Contractors, Elk Grove Village · Short course or single level · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Carpentry Level 4 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    More details about Carpentry Level 4 at Associated Builders and Contractors
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Carpentry certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Construction Carpentry (BC)

    Dawson Technical Institute

    Chicago

    Education and courses

    Dawson Technical Institute, Chicago · Carpentry certificate or diploma · In person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Construction Carpentry (BC) at Dawson Technical Institute
    More details about Construction Carpentry (BC) at Dawson Technical Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

  • Cabinetmaking and woodworkingHybridEducation and courses

    Woodworkers Training Program

    Greater West Town Project - Youth

    Chicago

    Education and courses

    Greater West Town Project - Youth, Chicago · Cabinetmaking and woodworking · Hybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Woodworkers Training Program at Greater West Town Project - Youth
    More details about Woodworkers Training Program at Greater West Town Project - Youth
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    15 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    Not reported

How to pay for carpentry classes in Chicago

WIOA funding can pay for carpentry classes in Chicago

Every program on this page is approved for WIOA funding: public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It can pay for training for eligible adults, people who lost their job and young people.2People on public assistance, with a low income or lacking basic skills come first, and veterans have priority.3Your state or local area may limit how much WIOA pays and for how long. If a program costs more, a Pell Grant, a scholarship or severance pay can cover the rest.4

Ask at an American Job Center

Eligibility rules apply, and services vary from state to state. Your local American Job Center can tell you whether you qualify. The Department of Labor's page links to the center finder, or call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).5

Paid carpentry apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a job: you're paid to learn, with a raise as your skills grow, and most include classroom teaching. You apply to the employer or the program sponsor. Ask what you'll pay for the classroom part and what you'll earn on the job.6

Financial aid and grants for carpentry classes

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for carpentry classes

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Carpentry apprenticeships in Chicago

A carpentry apprenticeship sets a number of hours of classes and paid work on the job for each year. Unions and contractor associations run most programs, and apprentices learn carpentry basics, blueprint reading, math, building codes, and safety and first aid.1

You apply to the employer or the program sponsor, not through a school.6 The Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder lists openings by place and job. This page lists 4 carpentry apprenticeships approved for WIOA funding in Chicago, 3 of them with no price listed. Ask what you'll pay for the classes and what you'll earn on the job.

Show only the 4 carpentry apprenticeships

What is an apprenticeship, and can WIOA pay for one?

Where the Chicago carpentry program numbers come from

Which Chicago carpentry programs are on this list?

These are the carpentry programs with classes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Illinois page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How Chicago carpentry program prices are reported

The price is tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported it. "Trained with WIOA funding" on a program counts the people whose training there WIOA paid toward through a training account in program year 2024; the file never gives counts under 3, so a program without the line may still take WIOA students. It does not say how much of the price WIOA covered. Prices under $100 are treated as not reported, because the file holds many blanks entered as $0. Check the current price with the school.

What the graduate results of these programs measure

The figures at the top of this page are the middle program among those that report results: half did better, half did worse. Results describe students who left each program in recent years: the share who finished, the share working in the second quarter after leaving, and the middle earnings of those working in that quarter. States report earnings for that one quarter because they take them from the wage reports employers file every three months. The yearly figure here is that quarter times four, rounded to the nearest $100: an estimate, and an early one, since it is measured about half a year after training. The quarter as reported is under "More details" on each program. Results are withheld for small programs, and they describe past students, so they are no guarantee.

Why do some carpentry programs say "Not reported"?

Where a school or the state left a field empty, or the Department of Labor withheld it, the page says "Not reported". Nothing here is estimated to fill a gap.

Why the kind of school is left off each program

The file also records whether a school is public, private or nonprofit, but those entries are wrong too often to print next to a school's name, so this page leaves them out.

How reliable are the Illinois figures?

The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Illinois among the states with "known data quality concerns".11 We leave out the share who finished for Illinois: only a few programs report it, and those at a typical 11%. We leave out prices for Illinois: the state files a code in place of each price, so no price can be shown.

Other training in Chicago

Sources for the facts about carpentry classes in Chicago

Show the 11 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Carpenters
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220 and 680.310: career services before training, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Labor, Apprenticeship.gov: Discover Apprenticeship: Earn While You Learn Today (fact sheet)
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List
  11. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: search page, note on states with known data quality concerns