How much does a carpenter make?
The median carpenter in the United States earns $60,580 per year, about $29.12 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all carpenters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-2031.
Carpenter salary range
Pay for carpenters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,410 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $99,910. The average (mean) wage of $65,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,410 | $19.43 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,510 | $23.32 | |
| Median (50th) | $60,580 | $29.12 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $76,830 | $36.94 | |
| 90th percentile | $99,910 | $48.03 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for carpenters (SOC 47-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Carpenter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Carpenters earn the most in Hawaii at $85,280 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $46,910. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 | 4,810 |
| Illinois | $79,000 | 19,570 |
| California | $75,920 | 100,750 |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 | 18,540 |
| Washington | $74,190 | 26,960 |
| Alaska | $73,860 | 2,560 |
| New York | $72,330 | 40,630 |
| Minnesota | $64,930 | 14,930 |
| Connecticut | $64,060 | 5,160 |
| New Jersey | $64,010 | 14,230 |
| Maryland | $62,960 | 9,770 |
| Indiana | $62,870 | 15,240 |
| Oregon | $62,870 | 15,110 |
| Colorado | $62,830 | 12,740 |
| Vermont | $62,400 | 3,080 |
| Nevada | $62,380 | 12,700 |
| Maine | $62,160 | 5,170 |
| District of Columbia | $61,710 | 1,540 |
| Michigan | $61,680 | 18,590 |
| Wisconsin | $61,660 | 13,880 |
| New Hampshire | $61,200 | 3,760 |
| Missouri | $60,840 | 14,410 |
| Rhode Island | $60,840 | 2,580 |
| Ohio | $60,810 | 18,450 |
| New Mexico | $59,720 | 3,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,370 | 30,630 |
| Delaware | $59,200 | 2,250 |
| Montana | $58,820 | 4,030 |
| Arizona | $58,580 | 16,230 |
| North Dakota | $57,890 | 2,360 |
| Iowa | $57,710 | 5,770 |
| Kansas | $56,960 | 5,210 |
| Wyoming | $56,850 | 2,260 |
| Virginia | $55,690 | 20,460 |
| Kentucky | $52,680 | 8,540 |
| Utah | $52,360 | 15,220 |
| Idaho | $52,000 | 8,380 |
| Tennessee | $50,830 | 8,200 |
| South Carolina | $50,670 | 6,950 |
| Nebraska | $50,320 | 5,710 |
| Louisiana | $49,920 | 8,990 |
| Florida | $49,870 | 39,300 |
| Georgia | $49,350 | 9,190 |
| North Carolina | $49,100 | 13,480 |
| Texas | $48,900 | 33,540 |
| West Virginia | $48,710 | 3,670 |
| Mississippi | $48,650 | 2,950 |
| Alabama | $48,220 | 5,560 |
| South Dakota | $48,140 | 4,560 |
| Arkansas | $47,760 | 4,030 |
| Oklahoma | $46,910 | 3,820 |
State median wages for carpenters (SOC 47-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for carpenters
The BLS projects employment of carpenters to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 889,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 924,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 62,800 openings a year for carpenters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a carpenter
The typical entry-level education for carpenters is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a carpenter earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $85,280) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $46,910) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 670,090 people work as carpenters in the United States. At $60,580 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Carpenter salary FAQ
How much does a carpenter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a carpenter is $29.12. The middle half of carpenters earn between $23.32 and $36.94 per hour.
What is the highest carpenter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of carpenters earn more than $99,910 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a carpenter make a year?
The median annual salary for a carpenter is $60,580. The average (mean) wage of $65,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a carpenter a well paid job?
At $60,580 a year, a carpenter earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 670,090 people work as carpenters in the United States.
Which state pays carpenters the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for carpenters at $85,280 a year. Illinois ($79,000) and California ($75,920) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a carpenter a good career?
Employment of carpenters is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 62,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a carpenter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for carpenters as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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