Carpenter Salary Overview

The average salary for a carpenter in the United States is approximately $22,639 per year, which is about 64% below the national average. Salaries can vary significantly based on experience, location, and specific carpentry skills.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Wage
Bottom 20%$15,042$7.23
25th Percentile$18,256$8.78
50th Percentile$22,639$10.88
75th Percentile$28,074$13.50
90th Percentile$34,074$16.38

Carpenter Salary by State

Salaries for carpenters can vary widely by state. Below is a comprehensive list of average salaries by state:

StateAverage Salary
Hawaii$77,070
Illinois$62,750
New Jersey$62,110
Connecticut$61,670
Alaska$61,040
Massachusetts$61,020
California$60,850
Washington$60,700
District of Columbia$60,140
New York$60,010
Nevada$59,380
Minnesota$58,020
Rhode Island$55,270
Missouri$51,660
Oregon$48,990
Wisconsin$48,890
Maryland$48,530
Colorado$48,480
Delaware$48,300
New Hampshire$48,300
Ohio$48,190
Indiana$48,060
Pennsylvania$48,060
Michigan$48,040
Wyoming$48,030
North Dakota$48,010
Vermont$47,720
Montana$47,530
Maine$47,460
Arizona$47,190
Utah$47,120
Virginia$46,760
Georgia$46,740
Iowa$46,740
Kentucky$46,640
U.S. Virgin Islands$46,640
Louisiana$46,520
Florida$45,750
Kansas$45,400
New Mexico$44,860
Texas$44,690
Tennessee$43,360
South Carolina$39,280
North Carolina$38,990
Mississippi$38,520
Oklahoma$38,380
West Virginia$38,300
Nebraska$38,240
Arkansas$38,130
Idaho$37,840
Alabama$37,620
South Dakota$37,600
Guam$36,560
Puerto Rico$22,610

Comparison with Similar Careers

Carpenters earn salaries similar to several related occupations. Below is a comparison of median salaries:

CareerMedian Salary
Machine Assembler$26,000
Tile and Marble Setter$24,000
Forklift Operator$25,000
Plumber$24,000
Maintenance Worker$23,000
Carpenter$23,000
Welder$23,000
Jeweler$21,000
Model Maker$19,000
Upholsterer$18,000

Conclusion

While carpentry can provide a steady income, it typically falls on the lower end of the salary spectrum compared to other trades. Factors such as location, specialization, and experience can significantly impact earning potential, making some regions and sectors more lucrative than others.

Information provided by CareerOnlines, LLC and other sources.
Sections of this page includes information from the O*NET 29.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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