Wages
Carpenter Pay in the US in 2026: Wages in All 50 States
Updated November 1, 2026
In the United States, the median wage for Carpenters (SOC 47-2031) is $29.12 an hour (BLS, data from May 2025). Pay depends on the state and the metro area. The tables below give hourly and yearly wages for every state and DC, and hourly wages for major metro areas.
What do carpenters earn in the US?
The first two tables give the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wages for carpenters across the United States, by the hour and by the year. Half of carpenters earn more than the median, and half earn less.
Sources1
Carpenter wages across the United States
Yearly carpenter pay across the United States
Which states pay carpenters the most?
In the state table, Hawaii has the highest median, and Oklahoma has the lowest. The table also gives the 10th and 90th percentiles for each state, beside the median. The yearly table after it gives the same states in yearly pay.
Sources1
Carpenter wages in all 50 states and DC
Carpenters (SOC 47-2031) · Hourly, US dollars · Data from May 2025
| Place | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $16.55[1] | $23.18[1] | $30.36[1] |
| Alaska | $23.59[1] | $35.51[1] | $72.85[1] |
| Arizona | $18.67[1] | $28.17[1] | $36.52[1] |
| Arkansas | $17.50[1] | $22.96[1] | $33.92[1] |
| California | $22.83[1] | $36.50[1] | $57.67[1] |
| Colorado | $22.61[1] | $30.21[1] | $43.62[1] |
| Connecticut | $23.62[1] | $30.80[1] | $42.31[1] |
| Delaware | $21.71[1] | $28.46[1] | $39.10[1] |
| District of Columbia | $23.00[1] | $29.67[1] | $38.81[1] |
| Florida | $17.75[1] | $23.98[1] | $33.63[1] |
| Georgia | $16.77[1] | $23.72[1] | $30.51[1] |
| Hawaii | $25.37[1] | $41.00[1] | $55.72[1] |
| Idaho | $17.72[1] | $25.00[1] | $36.40[1] |
| Illinois | $19.18[1] | $37.98[1] | $56.57[1] |
| Indiana | $21.88[1] | $30.23[1] | $43.60[1] |
| Iowa | $18.77[1] | $27.75[1] | $36.80[1] |
| Kansas | $18.68[1] | $27.39[1] | $42.35[1] |
| Kentucky | $17.67[1] | $25.33[1] | $35.08[1] |
| Louisiana | $16.40[1] | $24.00[1] | $33.32[1] |
| Maine | $22.66[1] | $29.88[1] | $37.62[1] |
| Maryland | $21.12[1] | $30.27[1] | $45.66[1] |
| Massachusetts | $23.19[1] | $36.16[1] | $59.08[1] |
| Michigan | $21.42[1] | $29.66[1] | $39.36[1] |
| Minnesota | $22.40[1] | $31.22[1] | $47.66[1] |
| Mississippi | $16.67[1] | $23.39[1] | $30.50[1] |
| Missouri | $18.60[1] | $29.25[1] | $46.30[1] |
| Montana | $20.68[1] | $28.28[1] | $37.09[1] |
| Nebraska | $18.71[1] | $24.19[1] | $35.00[1] |
| Nevada | $20.03[1] | $29.99[1] | $49.21[1] |
| New Hampshire | $21.87[1] | $29.42[1] | $44.43[1] |
| New Jersey | $21.00[1] | $30.77[1] | $58.41[1] |
| New Mexico | $19.28[1] | $28.71[1] | $37.40[1] |
| New York | $22.53[1] | $34.77[1] | $58.84[1] |
| North Carolina | $17.13[1] | $23.61[1] | $30.36[1] |
| North Dakota | $21.09[1] | $27.83[1] | $36.90[1] |
| Ohio | $20.33[1] | $29.24[1] | $39.01[1] |
| Oklahoma | $16.67[1] | $22.55[1] | $31.22[1] |
| Oregon | $21.06[1] | $30.23[1] | $51.13[1] |
| Pennsylvania | $20.66[1] | $28.54[1] | $44.29[1] |
| Rhode Island | $23.00[1] | $29.25[1] | $43.11[1] |
| South Carolina | $17.31[1] | $24.36[1] | $38.00[1] |
| South Dakota | $18.14[1] | $23.14[1] | $31.68[1] |
| Tennessee | $18.01[1] | $24.44[1] | $31.95[1] |
| Texas | $17.78[1] | $23.51[1] | $31.69[1] |
| Utah | $17.58[1] | $25.17[1] | $36.14[1] |
| Vermont | $23.00[1] | $30.00[1] | $36.95[1] |
| Virginia | $18.38[1] | $26.77[1] | $35.70[1] |
| Washington | $25.16[1] | $35.67[1] | $57.65[1] |
| West Virginia | $17.26[1] | $23.42[1] | $33.69[1] |
| Wisconsin | $21.69[1] | $29.65[1] | $44.73[1] |
| Wyoming | $21.50[1] | $27.33[1] | $38.85[1] |
Yearly carpenter pay by state
Carpenters (SOC 47-2031) · Yearly, US dollars · Data from May 2025
| Place | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,220[1] | $63,140[1] |
| Alaska | $73,860[1] | $151,530[1] |
| Arizona | $58,580[1] | $75,950[1] |
| Arkansas | $47,760[1] | $70,550[1] |
| California | $75,920[1] | $119,950[1] |
| Colorado | $62,830[1] | $90,740[1] |
| Connecticut | $64,060[1] | $88,000[1] |
| Delaware | $59,200[1] | $81,320[1] |
| District of Columbia | $61,710[1] | $80,720[1] |
| Florida | $49,870[1] | $69,950[1] |
| Georgia | $49,350[1] | $63,470[1] |
| Hawaii | $85,280[1] | $115,900[1] |
| Idaho | $52,000[1] | $75,710[1] |
| Illinois | $79,000[1] | $117,660[1] |
| Indiana | $62,870[1] | $90,700[1] |
| Iowa | $57,710[1] | $76,540[1] |
| Kansas | $56,960[1] | $88,090[1] |
| Kentucky | $52,680[1] | $72,960[1] |
| Louisiana | $49,920[1] | $69,310[1] |
| Maine | $62,160[1] | $78,240[1] |
| Maryland | $62,960[1] | $94,970[1] |
| Massachusetts | $75,200[1] | $122,880[1] |
| Michigan | $61,680[1] | $81,860[1] |
| Minnesota | $64,930[1] | $99,130[1] |
| Mississippi | $48,650[1] | $63,440[1] |
| Missouri | $60,840[1] | $96,310[1] |
| Montana | $58,820[1] | $77,140[1] |
| Nebraska | $50,320[1] | $72,800[1] |
| Nevada | $62,380[1] | $102,360[1] |
| New Hampshire | $61,200[1] | $92,410[1] |
| New Jersey | $64,010[1] | $121,490[1] |
| New Mexico | $59,720[1] | $77,790[1] |
| New York | $72,330[1] | $122,400[1] |
| North Carolina | $49,100[1] | $63,160[1] |
| North Dakota | $57,890[1] | $76,760[1] |
| Ohio | $60,810[1] | $81,140[1] |
| Oklahoma | $46,910[1] | $64,940[1] |
| Oregon | $62,870[1] | $106,360[1] |
| Pennsylvania | $59,370[1] | $92,110[1] |
| Rhode Island | $60,840[1] | $89,670[1] |
| South Carolina | $50,670[1] | $79,040[1] |
| South Dakota | $48,140[1] | $65,890[1] |
| Tennessee | $50,830[1] | $66,450[1] |
| Texas | $48,900[1] | $65,920[1] |
| Utah | $52,360[1] | $75,170[1] |
| Vermont | $62,400[1] | $76,850[1] |
| Virginia | $55,690[1] | $74,250[1] |
| Washington | $74,190[1] | $119,920[1] |
| West Virginia | $48,710[1] | $70,060[1] |
| Wisconsin | $61,660[1] | $93,040[1] |
| Wyoming | $56,850[1] | $80,800[1] |
Which metro areas pay carpenters the most?
The table lists the 20 metro areas with the most carpenters, by name. Among them, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has the highest median, and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX has the lowest. Before you move, compare the metro area with its state in the state table.
Sources1
Carpenter wages in the 20 metro areas with the most carpenters
Carpenters (SOC 47-2031) · Hourly, US dollars · Data from May 2025
| Place | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $23.47[1] | $36.16[1] | $59.71[1] |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $19.82[1] | $38.68[1] | $56.95[1] |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $17.52[1] | $23.44[1] | $30.71[1] |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $23.15[1] | $31.21[1] | $43.26[1] |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $22.86[1] | $31.64[1] | $39.80[1] |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $18.98[1] | $23.88[1] | $32.93[1] |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $19.92[1] | $29.99[1] | $49.47[1] |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $22.53[1] | $36.41[1] | $56.46[1] |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $18.51[1] | $24.79[1] | $34.87[1] |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $24.00[1] | $35.61[1] | $48.47[1] |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $22.53[1] | $35.72[1] | $59.52[1] |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $21.97[1] | $29.70[1] | $47.34[1] |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $19.15[1] | $29.00[1] | $37.40[1] |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $22.81[1] | $35.44[1] | $52.13[1] |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $22.32[1] | $34.08[1] | $53.83[1] |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $21.94[1] | $35.79[1] | $55.17[1] |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $22.75[1] | $35.19[1] | $56.53[1] |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $28.38[1] | $42.89[1] | $63.83[1] |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $27.93[1] | $36.74[1] | $59.50[1] |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $22.67[1] | $29.23[1] | $43.56[1] |
How much do apprentice carpenters earn?
Public-works schedules set a rate for each apprentice year. The list below gives the New York City rate for each year of a building carpenter apprenticeship. Each year also has a supplemental benefit rate.
Sources2
New York City apprentice carpenter prevailing wages, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
- First-year building carpenter apprentice in New York City: $25.20 an hour plus $20.20 in supplemental benefits, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.[2]
- Second-year building carpenter apprentice in New York City: $28.20 an hour plus $21.70 in supplemental benefits.[2]
- Third-year building carpenter apprentice in New York City: $32.45 an hour plus $25.30 in supplemental benefits.[2]
- Fourth-year building carpenter apprentice in New York City: $40.33 an hour plus $27.30 in supplemental benefits.[2]
Prevailing wage rates compared with the median
On public works, state and city rules set a rate for each trade. The list below gives the carpenter rates for Cook County and New York City, with their overtime rules. To compare a rate with the BLS median, find the metro area in the metro table. Keep two points in mind. Each public-works rate is for one classification, and the BLS median covers all carpenters in the area. The public-works schedules are dated 2026, and the BLS medians are for May 2025.
Published prevailing wage rates for carpenters
- Cook County, Illinois prevailing wage for a carpenter: $58.51 an hour base and $60.51 for a foreman, posted October 19, 2026.[3]
- In Cook County, Illinois, prevailing wage overtime for a carpenter is 1.5 times the base wage after 8 hours on a weekday and for every hour on Saturdays, and 2.0 times for every hour on Sundays and holidays.[3]
- New York City prevailing wage for a building commercial carpenter: $60.05 an hour plus $50.83 in supplemental benefits, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.[4]
- On New York City public works, a building commercial carpenter earns time and a half after an 8-hour day and on Saturday, and double time on Sunday. Saturday can be a make-up day at straight time after a day lost to bad weather that week.[4]
Before you move for carpentry work
Check these points before you take a job in another state.
- Compare the metro median in the metro table, not only the state figure.
- Ask whether the job is on a public-works or union contract. The prevailing-wage list above gives public-works rates for two places.
- Ask whether a quoted rate is base pay or a total package. The New York City rate in the prevailing-wage list has a separate supplemental benefit rate.
- Ask how overtime is paid. The prevailing-wage list above gives the overtime rules for Cook County and New York City.
- If you are an apprentice, ask which year you start in. The New York City list above gives a rate for each year.
How to read these figures
BLS gives percentiles for each place. The 10th percentile is the wage that 10 percent of carpenters earn less than. The 90th percentile is the wage that 10 percent earn more than. All BLS figures on this page are for May 2025. A cell that says No published figure has no BLS figure for that place.
Questions and answers
How much does a carpenter make a year?
The yearly table gives the national figures. The yearly state table gives them for each state and DC.
How much does a carpenter make in California?
California's figures are in the state table. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA each have a row in the metro table.
How much does a carpenter make in Texas?
Texas is in the state table. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX and Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX each have a row in the metro table.
Do union carpenters earn more?
No source on this page compares union and non-union pay directly. The prevailing-wage list gives public-works rates for two places. To compare a rate with the BLS median, find its metro area in the metro table.
Can Werko match me with a US carpenter job?
No. Werko matches trades workers in Canada now. You can join the US waitlist on this page.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 31, 2026
- Construction Apprentice Prevailing Wage Schedule, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Office of the Comptroller, City of New York (Bureau of Labor Law). Retrieved October 31, 2026
- Cook County Prevailing Wage Rates posted on 10/19/2026
Illinois Department of Labor. Retrieved October 31, 2026
- Construction Worker Prevailing Wage Schedule, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Office of the Comptroller, City of New York (Bureau of Labor Law). Retrieved October 31, 2026