Carpenter Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Carpenters in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median $55,630 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,596 take-home, or $3,800 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Baton Rouge, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,496
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,449
- Medicare (1.45%)$807
- Louisiana income tax$1,283
- Take-home pay$45,596
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Carpenter pay by experience in Baton Rouge, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,160 | $18.35 | $32,083 | $2,674 |
| 25th percentile | $48,260 | $23.20 | $39,895 | $3,325 |
| Median (50th) | $55,630 | $26.75 | $45,596 | $3,800 |
| 75th percentile | $60,880 | $29.27 | $49,657 | $4,138 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,640 | $34.44 | $57,466 | $4,789 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $55,630 buys in Baton Rouge, LA
Prices in Baton Rouge, LA are 9.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 26% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $45,596 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,227 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Baton Rouge, LA has 2.0× the national concentration of carpenter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Baton Rouge, LA ranks #26 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 |
| 26 | Baton Rouge, LA | $55,630 | $45,596 | $50,227 |
*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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median carpenter salary in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $55,630 a year, or about $26.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,260 and $60,880.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Baton Rouge, LA?
On the median $55,630 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $45,596 a year ($3,800 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,283 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Baton Rouge, LA a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 9.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,227 would in a typical U.S. city. Baton Rouge, LA ranks #26 of 54 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Baton Rouge, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baton Rouge, LA is $1,048 a month ($1,187 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $78,870
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $74,240
- Electrician — $65,330
- Construction Laborer — $38,650