Carpenter Salary in Riverside, CA
Carpenters in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median $70,880 a year — 17% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $55,314 take-home, or $4,610 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Riverside, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,764
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,395
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,028
- California income tax$2,458
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$921
- Take-home pay$55,314
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.00% state
Carpenter pay by experience in Riverside, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,430 | $22.32 | $38,036 | $3,170 |
| 25th percentile | $54,640 | $26.27 | $44,045 | $3,670 |
| Median (50th) | $70,880 | $34.08 | $55,314 | $4,610 |
| 75th percentile | $89,600 | $43.08 | $66,596 | $5,550 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,960 | $53.83 | $79,956 | $6,663 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $70,880 buys in Riverside, CA
Prices in Riverside, CA are 6.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.29× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $55,314 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,967 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Riverside, CA has 1.8× the national concentration of carpenter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Riverside, CA ranks #63 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 |
| 63 | Riverside, CA | $70,880 | $55,314 | $51,967 |
*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 California
- San Francisco, CA — $89,200
- Santa Rosa, CA — $80,520
- San Jose, CA — $80,190
- Modesto, CA — $73,730
- San Luis Obispo, CA — $77,220
- Napa, CA — $80,590
- Santa Cruz, CA — $77,690
- Vallejo, CA — $76,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Riverside, CA?
The median carpenter salary in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $70,880 a year, or about $34.08 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $54,640 and $89,600.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Riverside, CA?
On the median $70,880 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $55,314 a year ($4,610 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,380 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 17% above the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 6.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,967 would in a typical U.S. city. Riverside, CA ranks #63 of 194 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Riverside, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Riverside, CA is $1,777 a month ($2,201 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Riverside, CA
- Construction and Building Inspector — $89,950
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $82,710
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $78,720
- Electrician — $72,790
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker — $72,790
- Sheet Metal Worker — $68,780
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $63,920
- Brickmason and Blockmason — $63,330
- Roofer — $62,050
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $61,420
- Highway Maintenance Worker — $61,190
- Glazier — $60,750