Carpenter Salary in Appleton, WI
Carpenters in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $62,490 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,422 take-home, or $4,202 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,319
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,874
- Medicare (1.45%)$906
- Wisconsin income tax$1,969
- Take-home pay$50,422
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Carpenter pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,670 | $21.96 | $37,647 | $3,137 |
| 25th percentile | $50,740 | $24.39 | $41,498 | $3,458 |
| Median (50th) | $62,490 | $30.04 | $50,422 | $4,202 |
| 75th percentile | $84,930 | $40.83 | $65,457 | $5,455 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,290 | $46.29 | $72,847 | $6,071 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $62,490 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $50,422 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,558 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Appleton, WI has 1.3× the national concentration of carpenter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #29 of 194 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshkosh, WI | $84,430 | $65,132 | $70,088 |
| 2 | Peoria, IL | $75,280 | $58,208 | $63,803 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $94,310 | $69,540 | $62,670 |
| 4 | Rockford, IL | $72,770 | $56,566 | $61,382 |
| 5 | Springfield, MA | $75,520 | $58,402 | $60,797 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $80,440 | $61,583 | $59,445 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $70,990 | $56,372 | $59,284 |
| 8 | Elkhart, IN | $65,520 | $52,922 | $58,591 |
| 29 | Appleton, WI | $62,490 | $50,422 | $54,558 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 194 metros →
Carpenter salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Oshkosh, WI — $84,430
- Milwaukee, WI — $63,910
- Madison, WI — $63,480
- Green Bay, WI — $60,320
- La Crosse, WI — $58,950
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Appleton, WI?
The median carpenter salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $62,490 a year, or about $30.04 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,740 and $84,930.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $62,490 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $50,422 a year ($4,202 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,969 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,558 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #29 of 194 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $98,970
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $91,750
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $83,010
- Electrician — $66,830
- Construction Laborer — $59,260