Carpenter salary
Typical pay is $29.13/hr. Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for U.S..
What the range looks like
- 10th percentile Entry level / starting out
- $19.43/hr
- 25th percentile Below typical
- $23.32/hr
- Median Half earn more, half earn less
- $29.13/hr
- 75th percentile Above typical
- $36.94/hr
- 90th percentile Experienced / specialised
- $48.03/hr
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025) — U.S..
See what's hiring now
2 open carpenters on LocalWork right now.
What a carpenter does
Carpenters build and install structures and fittings from wood and other materials, across residential, commercial and finish work.
Day-to-day duties
- Frame walls, floors and roofs
- Install doors, windows and trim
- Read and work from plans
- Measure, cut and shape materials
- Work to building codes
Skills employers look for
- Precise measurement and cutting
- Plan reading
- Power tool proficiency
- Physical stamina outdoors
Requirements Entry level
- Apprenticeship or on-the-job training
- No universal licence, though contractors need one
- Own hand tools usually expected
- OSHA safety training common
How to get started
- 1 Start as a helper or labourer
- 2 Move into an apprenticeship
- 3 Specialise in framing, finish or cabinetry
- 4 Progress to lead, foreman or contracting
Job outlook: Tracks construction activity, so demand is more cyclical than the licensed trades — but finish and remodelling work is steadier than new build.
Common questions about carpenters
How much does a carpenter make?
The median pay for a carpenter nationally is $29.13 an hour — about $60,580 a year full time. That figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for U.S. (2025). Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.
What is the pay range for carpenters?
Most carpenters nationally earn between $19.43 an hour and $48.03 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.
How much do entry-level carpenters make?
Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $19.43 an hour. A quarter of carpenters earn below $23.32 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band. This is a role employers routinely fill with people who have no prior experience.
What do the highest-paid carpenters earn?
The top 10% of carpenters nationally earn about $48.03 an hour or more, roughly 1.6× the median. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — certifications, supervisory duties, specialised skills or premium shifts.
What does a carpenter do?
Carpenters build and install structures and fittings from wood and other materials, across residential, commercial and finish work. Day to day, that means frame walls, floors and roofs, install doors, windows and trim, read and work from plans and measure, cut and shape materials.
How do you become a carpenter?
The usual route is: (1) start as a helper or labourer, (2) move into an apprenticeship, (3) specialise in framing, finish or cabinetry, (4) progress to lead, foreman or contracting. Employers typically look for apprenticeship or on-the-job training, no universal licence, though contractors need one and own hand tools usually expected.
Do you need a certification to work as a carpenter?
Usually not. Most employers hire carpenters without a specific licence, though no universal licence, though contractors need one will widen your options and often your pay.
Are carpenters in demand?
There are currently 2 open carpenters listed on LocalWork. Tracks construction activity, so demand is more cyclical than the licensed trades — but finish and remodelling work is steadier than new build.
Where are carpenters most in demand?
See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
Similar roles
Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.