how much do carpenters make
Carpenters typically earn around the mid‑$50,000s per year in the U.S. , with many falling in a range from roughly $45,000 to $70,000 annually, depending heavily on experience, location, and type of work.
Quick Scoop: How much do carpenters make?
Carpentry is a hands‑on trade where pay can rise quickly with skills, certifications, and the right jobs. Many carpenters also boost income through overtime, side projects, or running their own small business.
Average pay (U.S. & a few other places)
United States
- Typical average salary: about $54,000 per year.
- Typical hourly rate: about $25–27 per hour for general carpenters.
- Entry‑level workers often start closer to $18–22 per hour and can move up with a few years of experience.
- Highly experienced or specialized carpenters can reach $70,000+ per year , especially in high‑cost states or on demanding projects.
By U.S. state (examples)
Here’s a quick look at how much carpenters make in some states (annual and hourly):
| Location | Approx. annual pay | Approx. hourly pay |
|---|---|---|
| California | $72,700/year | [3]$28.68/hour | [3]
| Washington | $71,500/year | [3]$27.82/hour | [3]
| Massachusetts | $69,300/year | [3]$26.95/hour | [3]
| U.S. overall (estimate) | $53,853/year | [5]$27.25/hour | [5]
| Atlanta, GA (city example) | $50,116/year | [9]$24.09/hour | [9]
Other countries (snapshot)
- Canada: Around C$28/hour on average for carpenters, with beginners near C$19 and more experienced workers above that.
- Australia: As of early 2025, many carpenters earn about A$75,000–A$90,000 per year , especially full‑time or subcontractors.
- UK: 2025 guides show pay varying by region and experience, with higher wages in big cities and for experienced tradespeople.
What affects how much carpenters make?
Think of a carpenter’s income like building a house: different “layers” add up to the final structure.
1. Experience and skill level
- Apprentice / beginner: Often in the high‑teens to low‑20s per hour in the U.S., learning fundamentals and doing simpler tasks.
- Early to mid‑career: Commonly into the low‑to‑mid $20s per hour, with more responsibility on sites.
- Skilled / senior carpenter: Can reach $30–$40+ per hour in some areas, especially when highly efficient, fast, and able to lead projects or crews.
On forums, some U.S. carpenters report going from about $18/hour to about $40/hour within a couple of years in strong markets, especially in framing or custom home work.
2. Location (state, city, and cost of living)
- Coastal and high‑cost states like California, Washington, Massachusetts tend to pay noticeably more.
- Some midwestern or southern states might pay in the $20–23/hour range as an average, but cost of living is often lower too.
3. Type of carpentry
- Residential framing and remodeling: Common path, moderate to good pay, with lots of overtime and side‑job potential.
- Trim / finish carpentry: Often pays well for precision and detail work (cabinets, molding, built‑ins), and can lead to higher-end custom projects.
- Commercial / union carpentry: In some regions, union jobs offer strong hourly rates, overtime rules, and benefits, which can push total compensation higher.
4. Employment type
- Employee (W‑2 style): More stable pay, benefits, steady schedule but usually capped hourly rates.
- Subcontractor / self‑employed: Higher top‑end potential per day or per project, but must cover tools, insurance, slow seasons, and taxes.
- Business owner / contractor: Some carpenters grow into running small companies and can earn significantly more if they manage crews and multiple jobs efficiently.
On forums, people often ask whether they should stay as hands‑on carpenters or transition to contractors to increase earnings, reflecting a common path upward in the trade.
Real‑world forum flavor (what people are saying)
Online carpentry discussions give a more “on the ground” view than just the averages.
“I frame custom houses in Colorado. Started out at 18 an hour. 2 years later I make 40 an hour.”
Carpenters in small remodeling crews often debate whether their salary or bonuses match the value they bring, especially when jobs run smoothly and profits are good.
These stories show that while average numbers are useful, motivated carpenters in busy markets can climb the pay ladder faster than many expect, especially if they take on responsibility, learn quickly, and show reliability.
Is carpentry a good-paying job right now?
In 2025–2026, carpentry is still in demand as construction, remodeling, and housing work continue across many regions. Labor shortages in skilled trades in some areas help support wages, particularly in cities where new building and high‑end renovations are booming.
If you can:
- Show up reliably
- Work safely and efficiently
- Read plans, solve problems on site, and communicate well
you can often move from basic helper to well‑paid carpenter in just a few years, and later step into subcontracting or business ownership if that appeals to you.
TL;DR
- In the U.S., carpenters usually make around mid‑$50k per year , or roughly $25–27/hour , with a wide range from entry‑level to highly experienced.
- Pay is higher in expensive states and for specialized or highly skilled roles, and many carpenters increase income through overtime, side work, and eventually running their own crews or businesses.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.