Skilled Trades · United States

Carpenter Salary in United States

The United States median is $66,200 per year, with observed city pay up to Washington DC at $87,300.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Carpenter pay in United States: Washington DC leads, Dallas trails

The United States national median for a carpenter is $66,200 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $48,700 in Dallas to $87,300 in Washington DC (1.8×).

Carpenters build and repair structures and fixtures from wood and other materials. Common screening skills include Framing, Finishing, Blueprints, and Tools.

A modeled national band runs about $45,300–$91,700 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +4% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Washington DC sits +32% vs the national median; Dallas sits -26%. Relocating inside United States for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. A carpenter raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby skilled trades titles on this site include Electrician, Plumber, Chef, and Welder.

How to use Carpenter pay data in United States

Start with the national median ($66,200), then pick the metro where you would actually work. Observed city rows below are stronger than a pay-index guess. If your city is missing, stay on this page for the country figure and check the United States hub for other careers.

Convert gross through the salary calculator before comparing two cities — tax and rent often reorder a cash ranking. Figures are estimates for research, not employer bands.

National band vs top metro

National sketch: $45,300 (10th) → $66,200 (median) → $91,700 (90th). Washington DC’s observed median is $87,300, with a local band about $61,800–$123,000. If an offer is “at the United States median” but the job is in Washington DC, you may still be under local market.

National median
$66,200
per year
Monthly (national)
$5,500
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$87,300
Washington DC, DC
Hourly (national)
$31.83
varies by city

Carpenter salary by city in United States

Cities below have observed metro percentiles for this role. Prefer these over national-only estimates when you are relocating to a specific market.

CityPer year
Washington DC, DC$87,300
Chicago, IL$80,400
San Diego, CA$77,600
Los Angeles, CA$75,700
Philadelphia, PA$61,800
Phoenix, AZ$57,600
San Antonio, TX$54,200
Houston, TX$49,700
Dallas, TX$48,700

Carpenter salary in other countries

Related Skilled Trades salaries in United States

Frequently asked questions

How much does a carpenter make in United States?
The national median is about $66,200 per year. Across 9 observed cities, pay ranges from about $48,700 to $87,300.
Which United States city pays carpenters the most?
Washington DC, DC leads observed metros at about $87,300 per year (+32% vs national).
Which United States city pays carpenters the least?
Among observed cities, Dallas, TX is on the lower end at about $48,700 per year.
How many United States cities have carpenter salary data?
9 metros list observed carpenter percentiles in USD on this site.
Is carpenter in demand in United States?
Occupation-level employment is projected at about +4% over ten years. Local hiring still follows American industry mix.