How much does a carpenter make?

The median carpenter salary in the United States is $60,580 per year ($29.12/hour). Salaries range from $40,410 (10th percentile) to $99,910 (90th percentile). There are 670,090 carpenter jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays carpenters the most?

The highest paying state for carpenters is Hawaii at $85,280 median salary.

Is carpenter a good career?

Carpenter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 (as fast as average). There are approximately 74,100 job openings per year. Typical education required: High school diploma or equivalent.

What interview questions are asked for carpenter roles?

Common carpenter interview questions include: "Show me how you'd lay out a wall with a door in it.", "You made a cut and now the piece is 1/4 inch short. What do you do?", "Tell me about a project you're proud of.". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters — Union) typically uses 1-2 rounds.

What certifications should carpenters get?

Top-ROI certifications for carpenters: OSHA 30 (Construction) ($150-200.); First Aid / CPR ($60-120 initial + renewal.); Aerial / Scissor Lift Operator ($100-300 for course + card.).

How do you negotiate a carpenter salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $60,580, p75 $76,830), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. Union: base is scale, negotiate on dispatches and specialty referrals. Non-union: Given my [X years] as a journeyman, my [specialty: finish / formwork / cabinet], and my safety record, I was looking at $[10-20% above th...

Carpenter Salary

Q: What is the career ladder for carpenters?

The typical carpenter career ladder: Carpenter Apprentice / Helper (0-4 yrs, $32k-$55k (tiered up through apprenticeship)) → Journeyman Carpenter (4-8 yrs, $55k-$85k · Union $80k-$130k in high-cost cities) → Lead / Foreman (6-15 yrs, $75k-$110k · Union $100k-$150k+ with OT) → Superintendent / Owner (8+ yrs, $90k-$150k+ (super) · Owner varies with revenue).

Bureau of Labor Statistics title: Carpenters

The median carpenter salary in the United States is $60,580 per year ($29.12/hour). Salaries range from $40,410 at the entry level to $99,910+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 670,090 carpenter jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 4.5% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asCarpenterFramerFinish Carpenter

Median Salary

$60,580

per year

Hourly Rate

$29.12

per hour

Employment

670,090

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$40,410

25th percentile

$48,510

Median

$60,580

75th percentile

$76,830

90th percentile

$99,910

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+4.5%

As fast as average

Annual Openings

74,100

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Apprenticeship

Carpenter Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for carpenters.

Carpenters build, install, and repair structures made of wood and other materials — residential framing, commercial finish work, cabinetry, formwork for concrete, and demo. Career splits: residential rough (framing crews, fast pace, weather-exposed), residential finish (trim, cabinets, detail work), commercial (metal studs, drywall, formwork), and specialty (millwork, staircase, timber frame). Union apprenticeships (UBC) are the highest paid; non-union small shops get you on tools faster but pay less journeyman. Employers screen for: reading prints, blade-sharp measuring/cutting, safety on tools (table saws + nail guns injure more carpenters than falls), and stamina.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Blueprint reading

Architectural, structural, and mechanical drawings. Understanding scale, elevations, sections, and door/window schedules.

Measuring + math

Fractions, angles, stair rise/run, roof pitches. 'Measure twice, cut once' is a discipline, not a joke.

Framing (rough carpentry)

Wall, floor, roof framing. Understanding load paths, shear walls, headers. Knowing when engineer needs to sign off.

Finish carpentry

Baseboards, crown, doors, windows, casing, cabinets. Coping vs mitering. Scribing to walls.

Power tool safety

Table saw, miter saw, circular saw, nail gun, router. More carpenters injured by tools than falls. Guards, PPE, blade condition.

Fall protection

OSHA requires fall protection above 6 feet in construction. Harness use, tie-off points, guardrails.

Concrete formwork (commercial)

Wall forms, column forms, deck forms. Bracing, stripping, reuse. Big money in industrial and infrastructure work.

How to Become a Carpenter

1
Apply for an apprenticeship OR start as helper
UBC (union) apprenticeship: 4-year paid program with benefits and tuition. Non-union: start as a helper/laborer at a small shop.
2
Get on tools
Buy your own basic hand tool set: hammer, tape, chalk line, level, speed square, utility knife, pencil. Employers expect it.
3
Learn safety before speed
OSHA 10 minimum. First-year injuries are usually from complacency with power tools. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
4
Pick a specialty by year 3
Framing, finish, cabinets, formwork, timber frame. Specialization compounds pay after journey level.
5
Journey out at 4-5 years
Complete apprenticeship hours + classroom. Journeyman rate at UBC in high-cost cities: $45-70/hr with benefits.
6
Move to foreman, superintendent, or contractor
Foreman on a crew (5-15 years). GC or specialty contractor license (state-specific, sometimes requires exam).

Career Progression

Carpenter Apprentice / Helper

0-4 yrs$32k-$55k (tiered up through apprenticeship)

•Assist journeyman: material handling, cutting, blocking
•Attend classroom in union apprenticeship
•Progress through wage tiers as hours accumulate

Next: Journey level after apprenticeship completion.

Journeyman Carpenter

4-8 yrs$55k-$85k · Union $80k-$130k in high-cost cities

•Work independently from prints
•Layout for the crew
•Supervise 1-2 apprentices

Next: Lead, foreman, or specialty.

Lead / Foreman

6-15 yrs$75k-$110k · Union $100k-$150k+ with OT

•Manage crews of 4-15 carpenters
•Interface with GC, other trades, inspectors
•Estimate and execute change orders

Next: Superintendent or contractor.

Superintendent / Owner

8+ yrs$90k-$150k+ (super) · Owner varies with revenue

•Own the schedule and coordination for the whole site (super)
•Own a small carpentry contracting business (owner)
•Bid, invoice, manage employees (owner)

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Show me how you'd lay out a wall with a door in it.technical

Snap the chalk line for the wall plates. Mark the studs at 16 or 24 on center (per code). Mark the door rough opening — measure the door width + 2-1/2 inches (jamb + shim space) plus rough opening height + 1 to 1-1/2 inches. Layout the king studs on both sides of the RO, then jack studs (trimmers) inside. Header on top sized per code and span (often double 2x with 1/2 plywood between). Cripples above header on layout. Interviewers screen for: knowing framing conventions, not just eyeballing.

Q2. You made a cut and now the piece is 1/4 inch short. What do you do?situational

Depends on where. Sometimes you shim (if the joint is hidden by trim). Sometimes you re-cut a new piece (finish work, visible). Sometimes you use a scarf joint if you can't get another piece. Never install a bad cut on visible work. Screening for: quality standards, not just 'get it done.'

Q3. Tell me about a project you're proud of.behavioral

STAR. Real project with specific detail. Ideal: a job with a challenging spec (curved staircase, tight tolerance, difficult customer), what you did, how it turned out. Employers screen for: pride in craft + specific technical detail.

Q4. Why do you want to work at this shop?behavioral

Concrete. Residential: 'Your finish work — specifically the cabinet work I've seen on your Instagram — is what I want to build toward.' Commercial: 'Your school and hospital work matches the code-heavy commercial I want to specialize in.' Not: 'I need work.'

Q5. How do you handle a foreman or GC who's pushing you to cut corners?situational

Escalate calmly and factually. 'This corner would fail the inspection because [specific reason]. Here's an alternative that meets code and stays close to timeline.' If they insist: document your objection. Never do work you know will fail — your name is on it. If it's a safety issue, refuse. Screening for: professional backbone.

Resume Template — Carpenter Apprentice (0-4 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Carpenter Apprentice (0-4 yrs)

▸Completed 6,200 hours OJT and 480 hours classroom through UBC Local [XXX] apprenticeship; on track for journeyman by Q3 2025.
▸Framed 40+ residential and 6 commercial projects; recognized as apprentice with cleanest layout by supervising journeymen.
▸OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, and Fall Protection certifications maintained current.
▸Zero recordable injuries or safety incidents across 3 years on tools.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Missing safety certifications.
✗History of preventable job-site injuries.
✗Not owning basic hand tools when journey-level.
✗Poor measuring — a carpenter who can't read a tape accurately is worthless.
✗Not knowing basic building code (headers, on-center spacing).
✗Slow with power tools out of unfamiliarity — dangerous for the crew.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓Union card + travel Local dispatches.
✓Specialty certifications: forklift, aerial lift, powder-actuated tool.
✓Trade specialty: cabinet, stair, timber frame, formwork — each commands a premium.
✓OSHA 30 + additional safety training.
✓Class B or A driver's license — some contractors need equipment transport.
✓Contractor license — for shop-owner track.
✓Willingness to travel for out-of-town work — per diem + travel pay.

Carpenter Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired carpenters. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

✓ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
✓ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
✓ Missing skills / keywords flagged
✓ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
✓ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Carpenter Career Kit — $19

✓ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
✓ Interview format intel for 5 top employers
✓ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
✓ Downloadable PDF for offline access
✓ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription

✓ 7-day money-back guarantee — no questions asked

One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.

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Carpenter Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$47K

$85K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
Hawaii	$85,280	+40.8%	4,810
Illinois	$79,000	+30.4%	19,570
California	$75,920	+25.3%	100,750
Massachusetts	$75,200	+24.1%	18,540
Washington	$74,190	+22.5%	26,960
Alaska	$73,860	+21.9%	2,560
New York	$72,330	+19.4%	40,630
Minnesota	$64,930	+7.2%	14,930
Connecticut	$64,060	+5.7%	5,160
New Jersey	$64,010	+5.7%	14,230

Showing 1–10 of 51

Carpenter Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
Kankakee, IL	$95,280	+57.3%
Urban Honolulu, HI	$94,310	+55.7%
Michigan City-La Porte, IN	$91,970	+51.8%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$89,200	+47.2%
Decatur, IL	$87,220	+44.0%
Fairbanks-College, AK	$84,970	+40.3%
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$84,430	+39.4%
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$82,110	+35.5%
Napa, CA	$80,590	+33.0%
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$80,520	+32.9%

Showing 1–10 of 393

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A carpenter earning $60,580/year would need 984 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1056 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

See all sports & celebrity salaries →

📈 See how carpenter salaries have changed over the past decade.

View Carpenter salary trend (2011–2024) →