Carpenter Salary in Lancaster, PA
Carpenters in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median $55,690 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,217 take-home, or $3,768 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Lancaster, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,503
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,453
- Medicare (1.45%)$808
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,710
- Take-home pay$45,217
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Carpenter pay by experience in Lancaster, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,140 | $18.82 | $32,427 | $2,702 |
| 25th percentile | $46,920 | $22.56 | $38,440 | $3,203 |
| Median (50th) | $55,690 | $26.77 | $45,217 | $3,768 |
| 75th percentile | $61,740 | $29.68 | $49,893 | $4,158 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,160 | $38.06 | $62,089 | $5,174 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $55,690 buys in Lancaster, PA
Prices in Lancaster, PA are 1.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 6% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $45,217 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,019 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lancaster, PA has 2.5× the national concentration of carpenter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Lancaster, PA ranks #38 of 54 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $94,310 | $69,540 | $62,670 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $80,440 | $61,583 | $59,445 |
| 3 | St. Louis, MO | $70,990 | $56,372 | $59,284 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $89,200 | $66,357 | $57,395 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $66,480 | $54,551 | $57,140 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $76,410 | $62,584 | $56,315 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $80,190 | $60,973 | $55,218 |
| 8 | Indianapolis, IN | $65,070 | $52,574 | $54,938 |
| 38 | Lancaster, PA | $55,690 | $45,217 | $46,019 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 54 metros →
About the job: 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; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.9% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Carpenter salaries elsewhere in Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, PA — $61,180
- Philadelphia, PA — $61,780
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Lancaster, PA?
The median carpenter salary in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $55,690 a year, or about $26.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,920 and $61,740.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Lancaster, PA?
On the median $55,690 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $45,217 a year ($3,768 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,710 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Lancaster, PA a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 1.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,019 would in a typical U.S. city. Lancaster, PA ranks #38 of 54 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Lancaster, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lancaster, PA is $1,220 a month ($1,526 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.