Carpenter Salary in Rochester, NY
Carpenters in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $59,490 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $47,365 take-home, or $3,947 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,959
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,688
- Medicare (1.45%)$863
- New York income tax$2,615
- Take-home pay$47,365
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Carpenter pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,360 | $21.33 | $36,025 | $3,002 |
| 25th percentile | $50,130 | $24.10 | $40,349 | $3,362 |
| Median (50th) | $59,490 | $28.60 | $47,365 | $3,947 |
| 75th percentile | $72,790 | $35.00 | $56,704 | $4,725 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,670 | $39.75 | $63,121 | $5,260 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,490 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $47,365 take-home pay has the buying power of $48,812 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 Rochester, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #31 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 |
| 31 | Rochester, NY | $59,490 | $47,365 | $48,812 |
*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 New York
- Buffalo, NY — $63,500
- New York, NY — $74,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Rochester, NY?
The median carpenter salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $59,490 a year, or about $28.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,130 and $72,790.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $59,490 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $47,365 a year ($3,947 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,615 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $48,812 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #31 of 54 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
- Electrician — $77,310
- Construction Laborer — $49,290