Carpenter Salary in Boulder, CO
Carpenters in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $59,760 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,276 take-home, or $4,023 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,991
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,705
- Medicare (1.45%)$867
- Colorado income tax$1,921
- Take-home pay$48,276
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Carpenter pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,670 | $20.51 | $35,296 | $2,941 |
| 25th percentile | $49,750 | $23.92 | $40,674 | $3,389 |
| Median (50th) | $59,760 | $28.73 | $48,276 | $4,023 |
| 75th percentile | $73,840 | $35.50 | $58,236 | $4,853 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,310 | $39.09 | $63,162 | $5,264 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,760 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $48,276 take-home pay has the buying power of $45,889 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 less concentrated in Boulder, CO than nationally (location quotient 0.65), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #129 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 |
| 129 | Boulder, CO | $59,760 | $48,276 | $45,889 |
*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 Colorado
- Denver, CO — $64,910
- Greeley, CO — $57,880
- Fort Collins, CO — $58,310
- Colorado Springs, CO — $57,430
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Boulder, CO?
The median carpenter salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $59,760 a year, or about $28.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,750 and $73,840.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $59,760 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $48,276 a year ($4,023 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,921 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $45,889 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #129 of 194 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.