Retraining ReportJob training public funding can pay for

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. One school runs 5 of these 12 programs, so the typical figures lean heavily on its prices and results.

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, 5 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 5 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 12 programs here are short course or single level (5 programs), carpentry apprenticeship (4 programs), carpentry certificate or diploma (2 programs) and cabinetmaking and woodworking (1 program).

See the 12 programs

All 13 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
None of the 12 programs report it
Working 6 months later
Not reported
None of the 12 programs report it
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
None of the 12 programs report it
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
School
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, HammondCarpentry apprenticeshipHybrid · 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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,497
    Program website, Carpenter at Three Kingdoms Construction Company

  • 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 VillageShort course or single levelIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, CORE/Carpentry Level 1 at Associated Builders and Contractors

  • Carpentry apprenticeshipHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Carpenter

    Three Kingdoms Construction

    Chicago

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Three Kingdoms Construction, ChicagoCarpentry apprenticeshipHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Carpenter at Three Kingdoms Construction

  • Carpentry apprenticeshipIn personNo diploma needed

    Carpenter

    Gmp Labs

    Chicago

    No diploma needed

    Gmp Labs, ChicagoCarpentry apprenticeshipIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

  • Carpentry certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Carpentry

    Triton College

    River Grove

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Triton College, River GroveCarpentry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Carpentry at Triton College

  • Carpentry apprenticeshipHybridNo diploma needed

    Carpentry

    Education Design Development & Research Corporation - RAP Chicago

    Chicago

    No diploma needed

    Education Design Development & Research Corporation - RAP Chicago, ChicagoCarpentry apprenticeshipHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out

  • 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 VillageShort course or single levelHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Carpentry 3 at Associated Builders and Contractors

  • 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 VillageShort course or single levelIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Carpentry Level 2 at Associated Builders and Contractors

  • 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 VillageShort course or single levelHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Carpentry Level 3 at Associated Builders and Contractors

  • 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 VillageShort course or single levelHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Carpentry Level 4 at Associated Builders and Contractors

  • Carpentry certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Construction Carpentry (BC)

    Dawson Technical Institute

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Dawson Technical Institute, ChicagoCarpentry certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Construction Carpentry (BC) at Dawson Technical Institute

  • Cabinetmaking and woodworkingHybridEducation and courses

    Woodworkers Training Program

    Greater West Town Project - Youth

    Chicago

    Education and courses

    Greater West Town Project - Youth, ChicagoCabinetmaking and woodworkingHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    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
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Woodworkers Training Program at Greater West Town Project - Youth

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 it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

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.

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?

Other training in Chicago

How carpentry classes compare with the rest of skilled trades across Illinois: Trade school programs in Illinois

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 the prices and results of Chicago carpentry programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

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.

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, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, 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