Carpenter Salary in Raleigh, NC
Carpenters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $50,820 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,495 take-home, or $3,458 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,918
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,151
- Medicare (1.45%)$737
- North Carolina income tax$1,519
- Take-home pay$41,495
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Carpenter pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,350 | $16.03 | $28,155 | $2,346 |
| 25th percentile | $44,320 | $21.31 | $36,531 | $3,044 |
| Median (50th) | $50,820 | $24.43 | $41,495 | $3,458 |
| 75th percentile | $60,340 | $29.01 | $48,764 | $4,064 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,830 | $31.17 | $52,193 | $4,349 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,820 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $41,495 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,274 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Carpenter jobs are about as common in Raleigh, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #48 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 |
| 48 | Raleigh, NC | $50,820 | $41,495 | $42,274 |
*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 North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $50,960
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Raleigh, NC?
The median carpenter salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $50,820 a year, or about $24.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,320 and $60,340.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $50,820 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $41,495 a year ($3,458 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,519 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,274 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #48 of 54 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $77,690
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $60,540
- Electrician — $56,800
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $51,110
- Construction Laborer — $45,650