How Much Does a Carpenter Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$60,580
Carpenters in the U.S. earn a median of $60,580 a year, or $29.12 an hour. Half of carpenters earn more than $60,580 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $99,910.
Pay percentiles for carpenters
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19.43 | $40,410 |
| 25th | $23.32 | $48,510 |
| 50th (median) | $29.12 | $60,580 |
| 75th | $36.94 | $76,830 |
| 90th | $48.03 | $99,910 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Carpenters (SOC 47-2031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for carpenters
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 | $41.00 | +41% |
| Illinois | $79,000 | $37.98 | +30% |
| California | $75,920 | $36.50 | +25% |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 | $36.16 | +24% |
| Washington | $74,190 | $35.67 | +22% |
| Alaska | $73,860 | $35.51 | +22% |
| New York | $72,330 | $34.77 | +19% |
| Minnesota | $64,930 | $31.22 | +7% |
| Connecticut | $64,060 | $30.80 | +6% |
| New Jersey | $64,010 | $30.77 | +6% |
| United States | $60,580 | $29.12 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many carpenters are there?
BLS counts about 670,090 carpenters employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (100,750), New York (40,630) and Florida (39,300).
The mean (average) annual wage is $65,630, higher than the median of $60,580.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,048
- Biweekly
- $2,330
- Weekly
- $1,165
- Daily (8 hours)
- $233
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters make an hour?
The median hourly wage for carpenters is $29.12. The middle 50% earn between $23.32 and $36.94 an hour.
Which state pays carpenters the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage for carpenters at $85,280, +41% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for carpenters?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of carpenters earn less than $40,410 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.