Carpenter Salary
Carpenters earn a median $60,580 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
U.S. median
$60,580
$29.13 per hour
Range
$40,410 – $99,910
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
670,090
across the U.S.
▲2.1%
Pay trend: The median for carpenters in the U.S. rose from $59,310 (May 2024) to $60,580 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What carpenters do
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)
- Openings per year
- 62,800
- Self-employed
- 25%
Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 62,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Carpenter take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$50,856
per year · effective tax rate 16.1%
$4,238Monthly
$2,119Twice a month
$1,956Every 2 weeks
$24.45Hourly
- Federal income tax$5,090
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,756
- Medicare (1.45%)$878
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$50,856
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,410 | $19.43 | $34,649 |
| 25th percentile | $48,510 | $23.32 | $41,158 |
| Median (50th) | $60,580 | $29.13 | $50,856 |
| 75th percentile | $76,830 | $36.94 | $62,880 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,910 | $48.03 | $79,117 |
Best cities for carpenters (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $94,310 | $69,540 | $62,670 | 3,120 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $80,440 | $61,583 | $59,445 | 14,220 |
| 3 | St. Louis, MO | $70,990 | $56,372 | $59,284 | 7,210 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $89,200 | $66,357 | $57,395 | 14,010 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $66,480 | $54,551 | $57,140 | 3,620 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $76,410 | $62,584 | $56,315 | 14,970 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $80,190 | $60,973 | $55,218 | 4,460 |
| 8 | Indianapolis, IN | $65,070 | $52,574 | $54,938 | 4,960 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $74,060 | $57,419 | $54,777 | 10,200 |
| 10 | Kansas City, MO | $61,810 | $49,877 | $53,896 | 4,540 |
| 11 | Sacramento, CA | $74,440 | $57,488 | $53,893 | 9,730 |
| 12 | Boston, MA | $75,210 | $58,200 | $53,756 | 12,720 |
| 13 | Cleveland, OH | $60,650 | $50,027 | $53,264 | 3,280 |
| 14 | Milwaukee, WI | $63,910 | $51,501 | $53,128 | 3,310 |
| 15 | Buffalo, NY | $63,500 | $50,370 | $52,554 | 2,440 |
| 16 | Detroit, MI | $65,810 | $52,512 | $52,356 | 7,610 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh, PA | $61,180 | $49,460 | $52,244 | 5,920 |
| 18 | Portland, OR | $73,710 | $55,065 | $52,233 | 9,210 |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $62,380 | $52,302 | $52,190 | 9,310 |
| 20 | Cincinnati, OH | $60,110 | $49,608 | $52,016 | 4,610 |
| 21 | Riverside, CA | $70,880 | $55,314 | $51,967 | 12,970 |
| 22 | Reno, NV | $62,350 | $52,278 | $51,753 | 2,750 |
| 23 | Los Angeles, CA | $75,740 | $58,281 | $51,319 | 30,600 |
| 24 | New York, NY | $74,300 | $57,685 | $51,247 | 34,210 |
| 25 | San Diego, CA | $73,200 | $56,731 | $50,704 | 8,710 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Urban Honolulu, HI — $94,310
- San Francisco, CA — $89,200
- Chicago, IL — $80,440
- San Jose, CA — $80,190
- Seattle, WA — $76,410
- Los Angeles, CA — $75,740
- Boston, MA — $75,210
- Sacramento, CA — $74,440
- New York, NY — $74,300
- Minneapolis, MN — $74,060
- Portland, OR — $73,710
- San Diego, CA — $73,200
- St. Louis, MO — $70,990
- Riverside, CA — $70,880
- Columbus, OH — $66,480
Carpenter salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 | −0.8% | $63,873 | $52,760 – $115,900 | 4,810 |
| Illinois | $79,000 | +3.4% | $60,641 | $39,890 – $117,660 | 19,570 |
| California | $75,920 | +1.5% | $58,391 | $47,490 – $119,950 | 100,750 |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 | +5.8% | $58,193 | $48,230 – $122,880 | 18,540 |
| Washington | $74,190 | +1.3% | $61,023 | $52,330 – $119,920 | 26,960 |
| Alaska | $73,860 | +13.4% | $60,791 | $49,060 – $151,530 | 2,560 |
| New York | $72,330 | +13.6% | $56,405 | $46,860 – $122,400 | 40,630 |
| Minnesota | $64,930 | +0.4% | $51,459 | $46,590 – $99,130 | 14,930 |
| Connecticut | $64,060 | +0.9% | $51,695 | $49,140 – $88,000 | 5,160 |
| New Jersey | $64,010 | +3.4% | $51,623 | $43,680 – $121,490 | 14,230 |
| Maryland | $62,960 | +4.7% | $50,141 | $43,930 – $94,970 | 9,770 |
| Indiana | $62,870 | +3.9% | $50,871 | $45,510 – $90,700 | 15,240 |
| Oregon | $62,870 | +2.8% | $48,025 | $43,800 – $106,360 | 15,110 |
| Colorado | $62,830 | +5.6% | $50,608 | $47,020 – $90,740 | 12,740 |
| Vermont | $62,400 | +0.3% | $50,660 | $47,840 – $76,850 | 3,080 |
| Nevada | $62,380 | +0.2% | $52,302 | $41,670 – $102,360 | 12,700 |
| Maine | $62,160 | +5.0% | $49,111 | $47,130 – $78,240 | 5,170 |
| District of Columbia | $61,710 | −6.6% | $49,199 | $47,840 – $80,720 | 1,540 |
| Michigan | $61,680 | +0.4% | $49,369 | $44,550 – $81,860 | 18,590 |
| Wisconsin | $61,660 | +2.1% | $49,792 | $45,110 – $93,040 | 13,880 |
| New Hampshire | $61,200 | +2.2% | $51,354 | $45,500 – $92,410 | 3,760 |
| Missouri | $60,840 | −0.5% | $49,143 | $38,700 – $96,310 | 14,410 |
| Rhode Island | $60,840 | +0.5% | $49,400 | $47,840 – $89,670 | 2,580 |
| Ohio | $60,810 | +4.3% | $50,151 | $42,290 – $81,140 | 18,450 |
| New Mexico | $59,720 | +14.8% | $48,524 | $40,100 – $77,790 | 3,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,370 | +0.2% | $48,061 | $42,970 – $92,110 | 30,630 |
| Delaware | $59,200 | −3.1% | $47,138 | $45,160 – $81,320 | 2,250 |
| Montana | $58,820 | +1.2% | $47,434 | $43,010 – $77,140 | 4,030 |
| Arizona | $58,580 | +7.4% | $47,993 | $38,830 – $75,950 | 16,230 |
| North Dakota | $57,890 | −0.9% | $48,695 | $43,860 – $76,760 | 2,360 |
| Iowa | $57,710 | +6.7% | $47,009 | $39,040 – $76,540 | 5,770 |
| Kansas | $56,960 | +10.5% | $45,569 | $38,860 – $88,090 | 5,210 |
| Wyoming | $56,850 | +1.8% | $47,859 | $44,710 – $80,800 | 2,260 |
| Virginia | $55,690 | +10.9% | $44,539 | $38,230 – $74,250 | 20,460 |
| Kentucky | $52,680 | +3.6% | $42,782 | $36,760 – $72,960 | 8,540 |
| Utah | $52,360 | +1.2% | $42,861 | $36,560 – $75,170 | 15,220 |
| Idaho | $52,000 | +7.2% | $42,314 | $36,850 – $75,710 | 8,380 |
| Tennessee | $50,830 | +2.6% | $43,022 | $37,460 – $66,450 | 8,200 |
| South Carolina | $50,670 | +3.6% | $41,010 | $36,010 – $79,040 | 6,950 |
| Nebraska | $50,320 | +1.5% | $41,202 | $38,920 – $72,800 | 5,710 |
| Louisiana | $49,920 | +0.5% | $41,179 | $34,100 – $69,310 | 8,990 |
| Florida | $49,870 | +3.7% | $42,251 | $36,910 – $69,950 | 39,300 |
| Georgia | $49,350 | −2.3% | $39,894 | $34,890 – $63,470 | 9,190 |
| North Carolina | $49,100 | +3.1% | $40,181 | $35,620 – $63,160 | 13,480 |
| Texas | $48,900 | +1.6% | $41,471 | $36,980 – $65,920 | 33,540 |
| West Virginia | $48,710 | +2.9% | $39,855 | $35,900 – $70,060 | 3,670 |
| Mississippi | $48,650 | +5.4% | $40,056 | $34,670 – $63,440 | 2,950 |
| Alabama | $48,220 | +0.7% | $38,779 | $34,430 – $63,140 | 5,560 |
| South Dakota | $48,140 | +3.5% | $40,860 | $37,720 – $65,890 | 4,560 |
| Arkansas | $47,760 | +3.1% | $38,905 | $36,400 – $70,550 | 4,030 |
| Oklahoma | $46,910 | −1.7% | $38,307 | $34,670 – $64,940 | 3,820 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.6% |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
| Brickmason and Blockmason | $62,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.1% |
| Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker | $58,970 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.3% |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer | $58,930 | No formal educational credential | +2.5% |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $58,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.1% |
| Electrician | $63,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.2% |
| Plasterer and Stucco Mason | $57,660 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
| Stonemason | $57,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make?
The national median salary for carpenters is $60,580 a year ($29.13 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,410 and the top 10% earn over $99,910. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays carpenters the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $85,280. After taxes and local prices, Urban Honolulu, HI offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many carpenters are there in the U.S.?
About 670,090 people work as carpenters nationwide.
All 54 cities
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Boise City, ID
- Boston, MA
- Buffalo, NY
- Cape Coral, FL
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Kansas City, MO
- Lancaster, PA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Omaha, NE
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- Provo, UT
- Raleigh, NC
- Reno, NV
- Richmond, VA
- Riverside, CA
- Rochester, NY
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Urban Honolulu, HI
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC