Carpenter Salary in Washington, DC
Carpenters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $60,800 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,527 take-home, or $4,044 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,116
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,770
- Medicare (1.45%)$882
- District of Columbia income tax$2,506
- Take-home pay$48,527
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Carpenter pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,150 | $22.67 | $38,402 | $3,200 |
| 25th percentile | $55,380 | $26.63 | $44,521 | $3,710 |
| Median (50th) | $60,800 | $29.23 | $48,527 | $4,044 |
| 75th percentile | $73,970 | $35.56 | $57,506 | $4,792 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,590 | $43.55 | $67,828 | $5,652 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $60,800 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $48,527 take-home pay has the buying power of $44,568 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #39 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 |
| 39 | Washington, DC | $60,800 | $48,527 | $44,568 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median carpenter salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $60,800 a year, or about $29.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,380 and $73,970.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $60,800 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $48,527 a year ($4,044 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,506 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $44,568 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #39 of 54 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $83,540
- Construction and Building Inspector — $80,150
- Electrician — $75,930
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $71,860
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $61,660
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $58,350
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $50,560
- Construction Laborer — $47,430