What Do Carpenters Actually Make?
Before we break down the numbers, you might also want to read our complete guide to becoming a carpenter if you're just starting out in the trade.
Carpentry is one of those trades where the pay range is enormous. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual wage for carpenters at roughly $56,350 per year - about $27.09 per hour. But that number hides a lot of variation.
A framing carpenter hanging trusses on a new subdivision in Texas and a finish carpenter installing custom cabinetry in a Manhattan brownstone both carry the same job title. Their checks, though, tell very different stories.
Here's how the national pay distribution actually breaks down:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry Level) | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $56,350 | $27.09 |
| 75th Percentile | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| 90th Percentile | $82,690 | $39.76 |
That's a $46,000 gap between the bottom and top tiers. The median doesn't tell you much about where you'll land. What really matters is what kind of carpentry you do, how much experience you have, and where in the country you're swinging a hammer.
Compared to other trades, carpentry sits solidly in the middle. It generally pays less than electrical work or plumbing at the median level, but the ceiling for skilled finish carpenters and self-employed contractors can be surprisingly high. And the barrier to entry is lower than most licensed trades - you don't need a state license in many jurisdictions to start framing houses.
How Much Do Carpentry Apprentices Make?
Most carpentry apprenticeships start between $15 and $19 per hour, depending on the region and whether you're working through a union program or a non-union contractor. That works out to roughly $31,000-$40,000 a year before overtime.
Union apprenticeship programs through the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) typically follow a structured pay scale. You'll start around 50-60% of the journeyman rate and get automatic raises every six months as you accumulate hours:
| Year | % of Journeyman Rate | Approximate Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 50-60% | $16-$20 |
| Year 2 | 65-70% | $21-$24 |
| Year 3 | 75-80% | $25-$28 |
| Year 4 | 85-90% | $28-$32 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $33-$42 |
Non-union apprenticeships are less predictable. Some contractors offer structured programs with scheduled raises. Others just bump your pay when they feel like it - or when you threaten to leave. If you're going the non-union route, negotiate raises at clear milestones: after your first year, when you can read blueprints independently, when you can run a small crew.
The trade-off with apprenticeships is that you're earning while you learn. No student debt, no classroom time you're not getting paid for (though union programs do require evening classes). By the time your friends finish a four-year degree and start looking for their first real job, you'll have four years of experience and a journeyman card.
Carpenter Salary by Experience Level
Experience matters in carpentry, but it's not a straight line. The biggest jumps come early - going from "I need supervision" to "I can handle this myself" - and again when you move into supervision or specialization.
| Experience Level | Typical Annual Range | What You're Doing |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $34,000-$42,000 | Carrying materials, basic framing, learning to read blueprints |
| Apprentice (2-4 years) | $40,000-$52,000 | Running basic tasks independently, assisting with layout |
| Journeyman (4-8 years) | $52,000-$68,000 | Full independence, can handle most residential/commercial work |
| Experienced Journeyman (8-15 years) | $62,000-$78,000 | Specialty skills, mentoring apprentices, complex projects |
| Foreman/Lead (10+ years) | $70,000-$90,000 | Running crews, managing timelines, reading full plan sets |
| Superintendent/Master (15+ years) | $80,000-$110,000+ | Multi-project oversight, estimating, client relations |
The real earnings jump happens when you move from swinging a hammer to running a crew. A framing foreman making $85,000 a year isn't necessarily a better carpenter than the journeyman making $65,000 - but they're managing people, solving problems, and keeping the job on schedule. That organizational skill is what gets paid.
Self-employment changes the math entirely. A solo finish carpenter or cabinet maker can charge $50-$100 per hour for their labor, potentially grossing $100,000-$150,000 a year. But after tools, a truck, insurance, taxes, unbillable hours, and slow seasons, the net is usually closer to $70,000-$90,000. Still good money, but not quite the fantasy the gross numbers suggest.
Carpenter Salary by State: Who Pays the Most?
Geography is one of the biggest factors in carpenter pay. A journeyman in Hawaii makes nearly double what one earns in Mississippi - though the cost of living in Honolulu eats into that gap pretty quickly.
Top 10 Highest-Paying States
| State | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $79,640 | $38.29 |
| Illinois | $73,290 | $35.24 |
| New Jersey | $70,480 | $33.89 |
| New York | $69,850 | $33.58 |
| Massachusetts | $68,920 | $33.13 |
| Washington | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| California | $67,740 | $32.57 |
| Alaska | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Connecticut | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Oregon | $64,980 | $31.24 |
Bottom 5 Lowest-Paying States
| State | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Arkansas | $41,100 | $19.76 |
| West Virginia | $41,850 | $20.12 |
| Louisiana | $42,300 | $20.34 |
| South Carolina | $42,680 | $20.52 |
The pattern is clear: union-heavy states with high construction volume and expensive housing markets pay the most. The Southeast pays the least, but living costs are lower and there's no shortage of residential construction work.
If you're willing to relocate, the math isn't as simple as "move to the highest-paying state." Look at the ratio of carpenter wages to local rent prices. States like Illinois and Washington often offer the best combination of high pay and reasonable (not cheap, but reasonable) living costs outside the major metros.
Carpenter Salary by Metro Area
City-level data shows even bigger differences than state averages. If you're flexible about where you work, specific metro areas can dramatically change your earning potential.
| Metro Area | Mean Annual Wage | What's Driving It |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland, CA | $86,400 | Extreme housing costs, heavy union presence, seismic retrofit work |
| Chicago-Naperville, IL | $78,200 | Strong union market, commercial high-rises, harsh weather premiums |
| New York-Newark, NJ | $76,500 | Dense construction, prevailing wage jobs, high cost of living |
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | $74,800 | Tech-driven commercial construction boom |
| Boston-Cambridge, MA | $73,100 | Historic renovation, university construction, union territory |
| Honolulu, HI | $79,900 | Island premium, limited labor pool, resort/military construction |
| Denver-Aurora, CO | $62,400 | Population growth, residential boom, moderate cost of living |
| Portland-Vancouver, OR | $66,300 | Green building demand, residential growth, strong union market |
Notice that some of the highest-paying metros aren't necessarily the best places to live as a carpenter. San Francisco pays great, but a one-bedroom apartment eats half your take-home. Denver and Portland offer a better balance - strong wages with more affordable housing once you get outside the downtown core.
Carpenter Salary by Specialization
Carpentry isn't one trade - it's at least half a dozen. The specialization you choose affects not just what you earn, but how you earn it and how hard the work is on your body.
| Specialization | Typical Annual Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rough/Framing Carpenter | $42,000-$65,000 | High volume, physically demanding, fastest path in |
| Finish Carpenter | $52,000-$80,000 | Trim, molding, doors - precision work, less body wear |
| Cabinet Maker | $45,000-$75,000 | Shop-based, CNC increasingly common, custom work pays more |
| Commercial Carpenter | $50,000-$78,000 | Metal studs, suspended ceilings, tenant improvements |
| Concrete Formwork | $55,000-$85,000 | Bridges, high-rises, dams - dangerous but well-paid |
| Restoration/Historic | $55,000-$90,000 | Niche skills, working with old-growth materials, highly specialized |
| Scaffold Carpenter | $50,000-$75,000 | Industrial settings, refineries, power plants |
Framing is where most people start, and it's good money for the skill level required. But it's brutal on your body. Lifting lumber all day in the sun (or the cold) takes a toll. Many framers transition to finish work or commercial carpentry by their mid-30s - not because they can't frame anymore, but because they want to keep working until retirement.
Finish carpentry and restoration work command the highest premiums because they require the most precision and the longest learning curve. You can teach someone to frame a wall in a week. Teaching someone to cope crown molding perfectly takes months. And a restoration carpenter who can match 150-year-old joinery methods? That person can basically write their own ticket.
Cabinet making has shifted significantly toward CNC technology. If you can program a CNC router and design in CAD software, you're more valuable than someone who can only work by hand. The combination of traditional woodworking skill and digital fabrication knowledge is where the money is in modern cabinetry.
How Certifications Affect Carpenter Pay
Carpentry doesn't require licensing in most states the way electrical or plumbing work does. But certifications can still bump your pay and open doors to higher-paying work.
| Certification | Typical Pay Impact | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Card (UBC) | +$5,000-$12,000/yr | Proof of completed apprenticeship, required for most union jobs |
| OSHA 30-Hour | +$1,000-$3,000/yr | Required on many commercial job sites, shows safety commitment |
| Lead Carpenter/Foreman Cert | +$8,000-$15,000/yr | Management track, required by many GCs for crew leads |
| EPA Lead Renovation (RRP) | +$2,000-$5,000/yr | Required for pre-1978 building work, legal mandate |
| NCCER Carpentry | +$2,000-$4,000/yr | Industry-recognized credential, helps with non-union advancement |
| First Aid/CPR | +$500-$1,000/yr | Often required, cheap to get, easy differentiator |
The most impactful "certification" in carpentry is the journeyman card from a completed apprenticeship. It's not technically a certification - it's proof that you've put in roughly 8,000 hours of on-the-job training plus classroom instruction. But it's the single biggest credential in the trade.
Beyond that, the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification is increasingly important. Any work on buildings constructed before 1978 that disturbs lead paint requires this certification by federal law. Contractors who have it can bid on renovation work that uncertified carpenters can't touch. It's a weekend course that can open up an entire segment of the market.
For a broader look at high-value certifications across all trades, check out our best certifications guide.
Union vs. Non-Union Carpenter Pay
The union question in carpentry is one of the most debated topics on job sites across America. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) represents about 500,000 members, making it one of the largest building trades unions.
| Factor | Union | Non-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Hourly Rate | $33-$55 | $22-$38 |
| Health Insurance | Fully covered (family) | Varies - many have none |
| Retirement/Pension | Defined benefit pension + annuity | 401(k) if offered, often nothing |
| Paid Training | Yes - apprenticeship paid | Sometimes - depends on employer |
| Overtime Rules | Strict enforcement | Often "flexible" |
| Work Consistency | Dispatched from hall - can have gaps | More consistent if you have a good employer |
| Total Compensation Package | $65-$95/hr (wages + benefits) | $25-$45/hr (wages + whatever benefits exist) |
The total compensation gap is massive. A union carpenter making $42/hour with full health insurance, pension contributions, and annuity payments is actually receiving $70-$85/hour in total compensation. A non-union carpenter making $30/hour with no benefits is getting exactly $30/hour.
But it's not all upside. Union work can be inconsistent - when a project ends, you go back to the hall and wait for the next dispatch. Non-union carpenters with a steady employer often have more predictable income. And in right-to-work states across the South, union presence is thin enough that non-union is often the only option.
Geography largely decides this for you. In Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and the Pacific Northwest, union carpentry dominates commercial construction. In the Southeast, Southwest, and most rural areas, non-union is the norm.
Overtime, Per Diem, and Side Work
Base hourly rate is only part of a carpenter's income. Overtime, per diem, and side jobs can push total earnings well above what the salary tables show.
Overtime: Commercial construction projects frequently run overtime, especially as deadlines approach. At time-and-a-half, a carpenter making $30/hour earns $45/hour for overtime. Working 50-hour weeks consistently adds roughly $15,000-$20,000 to annual income. Some projects - especially industrial shutdown work - pay double time on weekends, which can add even more.
Per diem: Travel carpenters working away from their home area often receive per diem payments of $50-$120/day to cover food and lodging. These payments are usually tax-free (up to IRS limits), making them worth more than equivalent wages. A carpenter earning $60,000 in wages plus $25,000 in per diem is effectively earning the equivalent of $75,000-$80,000 in taxable income.
Side work: This is where many carpenters make their real money. Building decks, finishing basements, installing custom shelving - weekend and evening side jobs typically pay $40-$75/hour in cash. Some carpenters earn an extra $10,000-$30,000 a year from side work alone. The catch: you're working six or seven days a week, and you should be reporting that income on your taxes (even if many don't).
Seasonal patterns matter too. In northern states, construction slows dramatically from December through February. Smart carpenters either save during the busy months, pick up interior work through winter, or file for unemployment. Southern carpenters have more consistent year-round work but often deal with brutal summer heat that limits productivity.
How Carpentry Pay Compares to Other Trades
Where does carpentry stack up against other skilled trades? Here's an honest comparison at the median level:
| Trade | Median Annual Salary | Median Hourly | License Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $61,590 | $29.61 | Yes (most states) |
| Plumber | $60,090 | $28.89 | Yes (all states) |
| HVAC Technician | $57,300 | $27.55 | Yes (EPA 608 minimum) |
| Carpenter | $56,350 | $27.09 | No (most states) |
| Welder | $49,000 | $23.56 | No (certifications help) |
| Auto Mechanic | $47,770 | $22.97 | No (ASE certs preferred) |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,560 | $18.06 | No |
Carpentry pays slightly less than the licensed trades at the median, which makes sense - electricians and plumbers have to pass state licensing exams and carry more liability. But the gap closes at the upper end. A master finish carpenter or successful remodeling contractor can out-earn most journeyman electricians or plumbers.
The lower barrier to entry is actually a double-edged sword. Because anyone can call themselves a carpenter, the bottom of the market is flooded with low-skill workers who drive down wages. Licensed trades have a built-in supply restriction that keeps wages higher at the entry level. But for someone who's genuinely skilled, carpentry offers just as much earning potential as any trade. For a broader look at trades careers, see our trades and skilled labor guide.
Residential vs. Commercial Carpentry
The type of construction you work on shapes your career as much as your specialization. Residential and commercial carpentry are almost different trades in practice.
| Factor | Residential | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Pay Range | $40,000-$70,000 | $50,000-$85,000 |
| Materials | Mostly wood, some engineered lumber | Metal studs, concrete forms, acoustical ceiling |
| Work Environment | Outdoors, small crews (2-6 people) | Indoor/outdoor, larger crews (10-30+ people) |
| Schedule | Often sunrise to early afternoon | Standard 7-3:30 or 6-2:30 with OT |
| Union Presence | Low (mostly non-union) | High (especially in urban areas) |
| Seasonality | Highly seasonal in cold climates | Less seasonal (interior work continues) |
| Path to Ownership | Easier to start own company | Harder - requires bonding, larger crews |
Residential carpentry is where most people start and where the most carpenters work. The pay is lower on average, but the path to self-employment is more straightforward. A good residential carpenter with a truck and tools can start taking side jobs within a few years and build a remodeling business over time.
Commercial carpentry pays better hourly but requires different skills. You're working with metal studs instead of wood, reading more complex blueprints, and coordinating with a dozen other trades on the same floor. The union path is stronger on the commercial side, which means better benefits but also more rigid work rules and dispatching through the hiring hall.
Many experienced carpenters work both sides. Residential remodeling during the day, commercial tenant improvement in the evenings when buildings are empty. It's a grind, but it's a fast way to build skills and income simultaneously.
Strategies to Increase Your Carpenter Salary
If you're already in the trade and want to earn more, here are the most reliable paths - ranked roughly by effort required and payoff:
1. Get your journeyman card. If you haven't completed a formal apprenticeship, this is step one. The credential alone is worth $5,000-$12,000 a year, and it opens doors to union work in any city.
2. Specialize in finish work or restoration. The transition from rough to finish carpentry is the single most common path to higher pay within the trade. It takes 1-2 years of focused effort to develop the precision skills, but finish carpenters consistently earn $10,000-$20,000 more than framers.
3. Learn to read and estimate from blueprints. Carpenters who can take off quantities from a plan set and produce accurate estimates are worth more than those who just build what they're told. This skill is what separates a $30/hour worker from a $40/hour lead.
4. Move into foreman or superintendent roles. Managing crews pays $70,000-$110,000 in most markets. It's less physical work but more stress. If you're organized, can communicate with GCs and architects, and don't lose your temper when plans change mid-project, this path has a clear ceiling well above six figures.
5. Get your contractor's license. In states that require it, a contractor's license lets you bid on your own projects, hire employees, and keep the markup that currently goes to your employer. The earning potential is highest here - successful remodeling contractors in good markets regularly gross $200,000-$500,000 - but so is the risk. You need business skills, not just trade skills.
6. Learn complementary skills. A carpenter who can also do basic electrical rough-in, tile work, or drywall finishing is more valuable on small residential projects where hiring three trades doesn't make sense. Each additional skill makes you more marketable and harder to replace. Listing those skills effectively on your resume helps when applying for better positions.
7. Relocate strategically. If you're in a low-paying market and willing to move, a $15,000-$25,000 raise might be as simple as relocating to a stronger union market. Use the state and metro data above to identify the best opportunities, and brush up on your resume format before applying.
The Physical Reality of Carpentry
Let's talk about what the salary data doesn't show: carpentry is one of the most physically demanding trades, and it takes a toll over time.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that carpenters have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses among all occupations. Common issues include:
- Back injuries from lifting heavy materials (sheets of plywood weigh 75-90 lbs, engineered beams can weigh hundreds)
- Knee problems from kneeling on subfloors doing finish work
- Shoulder injuries from overhead work (hanging drywall, installing ceiling joists)
- Hearing damage from power tools (circular saws, routers, nail guns)
- Falls from scaffolding, roofs, and ladders - the leading cause of fatal injuries in construction
- Repetitive strain injuries in hands, wrists, and elbows from swinging hammers and operating power tools
This physical reality is why career planning matters. A 25-year-old framer can work 60-hour weeks all summer without thinking twice. At 45, those same hours leave you wrecked for the weekend. Smart carpenters plan their career arc: build skills and endurance in your 20s, specialize and move toward less physical work in your 30s, and position yourself for supervision, estimation, or self-employment by your 40s.
Invest in good boots, quality knee pads, hearing protection, and proper lifting technique from day one. The money you spend on safety gear is nothing compared to the wages you'll lose from a preventable injury. And don't skip stretching - it sounds ridiculous, but carpenters who do basic stretching and mobility work have noticeably longer careers.
Career Outlook for Carpenters
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects carpenter employment to grow about 2% from 2022 to 2032 - slower than average across all occupations. But that headline number is misleading for a few reasons.
First, carpentry has enormous annual turnover. The BLS estimates roughly 89,000 carpenter openings every year, most of them replacements for workers who leave the trade, retire, or move into management. The trade can't keep young workers - many leave within the first three years because the physical demands are too much or the pay doesn't match expectations at the entry level.
Second, the aging workforce is creating a genuine skilled carpenter shortage. The median age of carpenters has been climbing for decades, and the pipeline of young workers entering formal apprenticeship programs isn't keeping pace with retirements. For anyone entering the trade now, this supply constraint means better bargaining power and faster advancement.
Third, housing demand continues to outstrip supply in most American cities. Whether it's new construction, renovations, or converting commercial space to residential, carpenters are essential to every project. The growth in green building and energy-efficient renovation adds another layer of demand.
The biggest risk to carpenter wages is immigration policy and the informal labor market. A significant portion of residential construction labor - especially framing - is performed by undocumented workers at below-market rates. Changes in enforcement could shift the labor supply in either direction. Regardless, skilled finish carpenters and those in commercial/union work face minimal competition from informal labor.
Getting Started in Carpentry
If you're considering carpentry as a career, here's a realistic roadmap for getting started:
Option 1: Union Apprenticeship. Contact your local UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters) council. Most accept applications year-round. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18, and pass a basic aptitude test. The apprenticeship is typically 4 years and combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. This is the most structured path and generally leads to the highest earning potential.
Option 2: Non-Union Entry. Start as a laborer or carpenter's helper with a residential contractor. Many will hire with zero experience if you're physically fit, show up on time, and aren't afraid of hard work. Pay starts lower ($14-$18/hour) but you're earning immediately. The downside is less structured training - you learn what your employer needs you to learn, not a comprehensive curriculum.
Option 3: Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Many community colleges and trade schools offer 6-12 month carpentry programs. These don't replace an apprenticeship but give you enough basics (tool safety, blueprint reading, basic framing) to start at a higher level. Some programs have direct pipelines into union apprenticeships.
Whichever path you choose, show up early, stay off your phone, ask questions, and volunteer for the tasks nobody else wants. The carpenters who advance fastest are the ones who are genuinely curious about how things are built - not just punching a clock. For general tips on breaking into a new field, check out our guide to getting a job with no experience.
If you're preparing for interviews, our carpentry interview questions guide covers exactly what contractors and foremen ask - from technical framing questions to safety scenarios.
And when you're ready to apply for your next position, make sure your experience is presented clearly. Our resume action words guide can help you describe your carpentry skills in language that gets hiring managers' attention.