Carpenter Salary in Washington, DC
Carpenters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $60,800 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,527 take-home, or $4,044 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median carpenter salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,116
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,770
- Medicare (1.45%)$882
- District of Columbia income tax$2,506
- Take-home pay$48,527
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Carpenter pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,150 | $22.67 | $38,402 | $3,200 |
| 25th percentile | $55,380 | $26.63 | $44,521 | $3,710 |
| Median (50th) | $60,800 | $29.23 | $48,527 | $4,044 |
| 75th percentile | $73,970 | $35.56 | $57,506 | $4,792 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,590 | $43.55 | $67,828 | $5,652 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $60,800 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median carpenter's $48,527 take-home pay has the buying power of $44,568 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for carpenters, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #140 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 |
| 140 | Washington, DC | $60,800 | $48,527 | $44,568 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 194 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in Washington, DC?
The median carpenter salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $60,800 a year, or about $29.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,380 and $73,970.
What is a carpenter’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $60,800 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $48,527 a year ($4,044 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,506 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a carpenter?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $60,580. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $44,568 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #140 of 194 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a carpenter afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median carpenter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $83,540
- Construction and Building Inspector — $80,150
- Electrician — $75,930
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $71,860
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker — $68,320
- Glazier — $63,310
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $61,660
- Sheet Metal Worker — $61,270
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining — $61,040
- Highway Maintenance Worker — $60,810
- Brickmason and Blockmason — $60,670
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $59,070