Carpenter Salary in Columbia, MO
Carpenters in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median $56,160 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,602 take-home, or $3,800 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Columbia, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,559
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,482
- Medicare (1.45%)$814
- Missouri income tax$1,702
- Take-home pay$45,602
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
Carpenter pay by experience in Columbia, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,130 | $17.37 | $30,450 | $2,537 |
| 25th percentile | $45,660 | $21.95 | $37,659 | $3,138 |
| Median (50th) | $56,160 | $27.00 | $45,602 | $3,800 |
| 75th percentile | $70,400 | $33.85 | $55,985 | $4,665 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,910 | $42.26 | $67,480 | $5,623 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $56,160 buys in Columbia, MO
Prices in Columbia, MO are 10.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 31% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $45,602 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,988 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 about as common in Columbia, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, MO ranks #80 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 |
| 80 | Columbia, MO | $56,160 | $45,602 | $50,988 |
*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 Missouri
- St. Louis, MO — $70,990
- Kansas City, MO — $61,810
- Springfield, MO — $52,000
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Columbia, MO?
The median carpenter salary in the Columbia, MO metro area is $56,160 a year, or about $27.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,660 and $70,400.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Columbia, MO?
On the median $56,160 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $45,602 a year ($3,800 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,702 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, MO a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 10.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,988 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, MO ranks #80 of 194 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Columbia, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, MO is $978 a month ($1,138 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 Columbia, MO
- Construction Laborer — $56,810