Certificate (1-2 years)0% vs national median161 grads tracked
Carpenters at Hennepin Technical College
Ranked 12th of 24 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Carpenters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$36,281
middle 50%: $29,011 – $48,784
Median · 5 years out
$47,360
middle 50%: $34,546 – $65,634
Median · 10 years out
$64,402
middle 50%: $46,777 – $79,576
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Carpenters (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Carpentry certificate graduates start with a median salary of $36k. Earnings climb to $64k after ten years in the field.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
8.5 yrs
≈ $10,063 total interest
Same major at other universities
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
$54,757 · 5 yrs out
Northland Community and Technical College
$50,197 · 5 yrs out
Rochester Community and Technical College
$49,399 · 5 yrs out
Northeast Iowa Community College
$49,269 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Iowa Community College
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Saint Paul College - A Community & Technical College
$47,574 · 5 yrs out
Des Moines Area Community College
$47,119 · 5 yrs out
North Iowa Area Community College
$46,663 · 5 yrs out
Kirkwood Community College
$46,359 · 5 yrs out
South Central College
$46,024 · 5 yrs out
Iowa Central Community College
$45,375 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
$43,588 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Hennepin Technical College
Computer Software and Media Applications (Certificate)
$89,177 · 5 yrs out
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Certificate)
$88,109 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$85,997 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$84,761 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$81,671 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$80,540 · 5 yrs out
Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$77,819 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$77,603 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$77,316 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Certificate)
$76,944 · 5 yrs out
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