Carpenter Salary in Rockford, IL
Carpenters in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median $72,770 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,566 take-home, or $4,714 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Rockford, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,179
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,512
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,055
- Illinois income tax$3,457
- Take-home pay$56,566
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
Carpenter pay by experience in Rockford, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,470 | $22.34 | $37,363 | $3,114 |
| 25th percentile | $56,840 | $27.33 | $45,182 | $3,765 |
| Median (50th) | $72,770 | $34.99 | $56,566 | $4,714 |
| 75th percentile | $98,090 | $47.16 | $73,126 | $6,094 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,360 | $50.17 | $77,226 | $6,436 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $72,770 buys in Rockford, IL
Prices in Rockford, IL are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 30% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $56,566 take-home pay has the buying power of $61,382 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rockford, IL has 1.4× the national concentration of carpenter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Rockford, IL ranks #4 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 |
*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 Illinois
- Peoria, IL — $75,280
- Chicago, IL — $80,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Rockford, IL?
The median carpenter salary in the Rockford, IL metro area is $72,770 a year, or about $34.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $56,840 and $98,090.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Rockford, IL?
On the median $72,770 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $56,566 a year ($4,714 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,457 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Rockford, IL a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $61,382 would in a typical U.S. city. Rockford, IL ranks #4 of 194 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Rockford, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rockford, IL is $895 a month ($1,175 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.