Carpenter Salary in Bowling Green, KY
Carpenters in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median $52,680 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $42,782 take-home, or $3,565 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Bowling Green, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,142
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,266
- Medicare (1.45%)$764
- Kentucky income tax$1,726
- Take-home pay$42,782
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Carpenter pay by experience in Bowling Green, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,600 | $18.08 | $31,193 | $2,599 |
| 25th percentile | $47,060 | $22.63 | $38,463 | $3,205 |
| Median (50th) | $52,680 | $25.33 | $42,782 | $3,565 |
| 75th percentile | $52,680 | $25.33 | $42,782 | $3,565 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,520 | $29.58 | $49,576 | $4,131 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $52,680 buys in Bowling Green, KY
Prices in Bowling Green, KY are 9.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 37% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $42,782 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,441 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bowling Green, KY 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
Bowling Green, KY ranks #111 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 |
| 111 | Bowling Green, KY | $52,680 | $42,782 | $47,441 |
*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 Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $56,520
- Lexington, KY — $52,030
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Bowling Green, KY?
The median carpenter salary in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $52,680 a year, or about $25.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,060 and $52,680.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Bowling Green, KY?
On the median $52,680 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $42,782 a year ($3,565 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,726 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Bowling Green, KY a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 9.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,441 would in a typical U.S. city. Bowling Green, KY ranks #111 of 194 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Bowling Green, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Bowling Green, KY is $937 a month ($1,115 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Bowling Green, KY
- Electrician — $55,740
- Construction Laborer — $41,880