Carpenter Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$59,000
national median salary
$48,000 to $76,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $60,580 for Carpenters (SOC 47-2031) across the United States, based on 670,090 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$40,410
25th percentile
$48,510
Median
$60,580
75th percentile
$76,830
90th percentile
$99,910
Workers surveyed
670,090
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$59,310
May 2025 release
$60,580
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Carpenters (SOC 47-2031) rather than Carpenterspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 47-2031Highest Paying
$81,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$62,000
Honolulu, HI
Lowest Paying
$46,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 47-2031. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Carpenter salary in the United States at $59,000 in 2026, within a range of $48,000 to $76,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $81,000, while Honolulu offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Finish carpenters specializing in custom cabinetry, trim, and millwork earn 15 to 25% more than rough framing carpenters.
Carpenter salary by city.
Skills that increase Carpenter pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Carpenters based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $8,260 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$8,260 per year
≈ +$7,670 per year
≈ +$7,080 per year
≈ +$6,490 per year
≈ +$6,490 per year
≈ +$5,900 per year
≈ +$5,900 per year
≈ +$5,310 per year
What you should know.
Finish carpenters specializing in custom cabinetry, trim, and millwork earn 15 to 25% more than rough framing carpenters. Union membership in metropolitan areas provides the strongest hourly rate floors. Carpenters with concrete formwork expertise for commercial high-rise projects command premium rates due to the physical demands and precision required.
Carpenter apprentices start at $30,000 to $36,000 during their three to four year training period. Journeyman carpenters earn $42,000 to $58,000, while foremen and lead carpenters reach $60,000 to $78,000. General contractors with carpentry backgrounds often earn $85,000 to $130,000 running their own operations.
Union carpenters receive benefits packages worth $12,000 to $20,000 annually including health insurance, pension, and training funds. Overtime on commercial projects adds $5,000 to $12,000 per year, with prevailing wage jobs offering the best hourly rates.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Carpenters typically earn $53,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Carpenter pay.
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