Carpenter Salary in Seattle, WA
Carpenters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $76,410 a year — 26% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,584 take-home, or $5,215 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,980
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,737
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,108
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$62,584
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Carpenter pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,090 | $27.93 | $48,855 | $4,071 |
| 25th percentile | $63,740 | $30.64 | $53,395 | $4,450 |
| Median (50th) | $76,410 | $36.74 | $62,584 | $5,215 |
| 75th percentile | $99,700 | $47.93 | $78,969 | $6,581 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,750 | $59.50 | $95,849 | $7,987 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,410 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $62,584 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,315 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 1.7× the national concentration of carpenter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #6 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 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Seattle, WA?
The median carpenter salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $76,410 a year, or about $36.74 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,740 and $99,700.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $76,410 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $62,584 a year ($5,215 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 26% above the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,315 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #6 of 54 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $121,130
- Electrician — $101,780
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $95,750
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $95,230
- Roofer — $64,090
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $60,440
- Construction Laborer — $59,740