How to Become a Carpenter
Carpenters earn a median salary of $60,580/year in the United States. Most positions require No formal educational credential. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, Illinois, California.
Where Carpenters have the most money left over after rent
Median pay minus estimated federal + state + FICA taxes, minus 12 months of rent at HUD's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent. Darker green means more money left over each year. Hover any state for the breakdown.
View map data as a table
| State | Median (nominal) | Rent/mo (2BR) | Left after rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $79K | $1,407 | $43K |
| Alaska | $74K | $1,643 | $41K |
| Washington | $74K | $1,830 | $39K |
| Indiana | $63K | $1,144 | $37K |
| Missouri | $61K | $1,097 | $36K |
| Ohio | $61K | $1,188 | $36K |
| Wyoming | $57K | $1,008 | $36K |
| Hawaii | $85K | $2,240 | $35K |
| New Mexico | $60K | $1,119 | $35K |
| North Dakota | $58K | $1,034 | $35K |
| Wisconsin | $62K | $1,202 | $35K |
| Maine | $62K | $1,281 | $34K |
| Michigan | $62K | $1,272 | $34K |
| Minnesota | $65K | $1,384 | $34K |
| Nevada | $62K | $1,501 | $34K |
| Iowa | $58K | $1,064 | $33K |
| Montana | $59K | $1,129 | $33K |
| New Hampshire | $61K | $1,528 | $33K |
| New York | $72K | $1,917 | $33K |
| Vermont | $62K | $1,498 | $33K |
| Kansas | $57K | $1,066 | $32K |
| Pennsylvania | $59K | $1,351 | $32K |
| Delaware | $59K | $1,448 | $30K |
| Rhode Island | $61K | $1,544 | $30K |
| Connecticut | $64K | $1,679 | $30K |
| Arizona | $59K | $1,437 | $30K |
| Kentucky | $53K | $1,110 | $29K |
| Massachusetts | $75K | $2,347 | $29K |
| Oregon | $63K | $1,555 | $29K |
| South Dakota | $48K | $1,017 | $29K |
| California | $76K | $2,471 | $29K |
| Idaho | $52K | $1,136 | $28K |
| Maryland | $63K | $1,795 | $28K |
| Tennessee | $51K | $1,215 | $28K |
| Colorado | $63K | $1,832 | $28K |
| Nebraska | $50K | $1,113 | $27K |
| New Jersey | $64K | $2,067 | $27K |
| West Virginia | $49K | $1,008 | $27K |
| Louisiana | $50K | $1,191 | $26K |
| Mississippi | $49K | $1,077 | $26K |
| South Carolina | $51K | $1,263 | $26K |
| Alabama | $48K | $1,085 | $26K |
| Arkansas | $48K | $1,021 | $26K |
| Oklahoma | $47K | $1,081 | $25K |
| Utah | $52K | $1,350 | $25K |
| North Carolina | $49K | $1,284 | $24K |
| Texas | $49K | $1,415 | $24K |
| Virginia | $56K | $1,646 | $24K |
| District of Columbia | $62K | $2,146 | $23K |
| Florida | $50K | $1,658 | $22K |
| Georgia | $49K | $1,434 | $22K |
Education and training
Carpenters enter the trade through apprenticeship (3-4 years through the United Brotherhood of Carpenters or independent programs), trade school certificate programs (6-12 months), or direct entry as a helper on a construction crew with on-the-job training. Apprenticeship is the most thorough path: paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction in blueprint reading, building codes, framing, finish work, concrete forming, safety, and mathematics.
Some carpenters specialize during training: rough carpentry (framing, structural work), finish carpentry (trim, cabinetry, millwork), formwork (concrete forming for commercial construction), or scaffold building.
Mathematics is more important in carpentry than most people expect. Framing a roof requires trigonometry (calculating rafter lengths and angles). Building stairs requires precise geometry. Reading blueprints requires spatial reasoning and the ability to translate two-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional structures. Carpenters who struggle with math struggle with the job, this is the most common reason apprentices wash out.
Licensing and certification
Most states do not license individual carpenters. However, if you want to run your own carpentry business, you'll need a general contractor's license in most jurisdictions, which requires passing an exam on building codes, business law, and construction management, plus proof of insurance and bonding.
OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 safety certification is widely expected by employers. Specialty certifications in scaffold erection, fall protection, and concrete forming are valuable on commercial job sites.
What the day-to-day looks like
Carpenters build and repair building frameworks and structures, walls, floors, roofs, stairs, door frames, window frames, and concrete forms. Residential carpenters frame houses and install finish trim. Commercial carpenters build forms for concrete structures, erect metal stud walls, and install commercial doors and hardware.
The work is outdoor and seasonal in many regions. Cold-weather states see slower winter work, though commercial interior carpentry continues year-round. Physical demands are high: lifting lumber, climbing scaffolding, working from ladders, and repetitive motion with hand and power tools. The injury rate is among the highest of any occupation.
Career progression
Helper → apprentice → journeyman → foreman → superintendent → project manager → business owner. Carpentry is one of the broadest construction trades, and experienced carpenters often transition into general contracting because their skills span multiple phases of construction.
Specialty carpentry commands premium pay: timber framing (post-and-beam construction), historical restoration, custom cabinetry and millwork, and stair building are artisan niches where experienced craftspeople earn $70,000-$100,000+ or set their own rates as independent artisans.
Salary progression
Highest paying states
| State | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85K | 4,810 |
| Illinois | $79K | 19,570 |
| California | $76K | 100,750 |
| Massachusetts | $75K | 18,540 |
| Washington | $74K | 26,960 |
| Alaska | $74K | 2,560 |
| New York | $72K | 40,630 |
| Minnesota | $65K | 14,930 |
| Connecticut | $64K | 5,160 |
| New Jersey | $64K | 14,230 |
Where the jobs are
The highest-paying state for carpenterss is Hawaii at $85,280/year, that's $24,700 above the national median. But higher pay often comes with higher costs. Before assuming the top-paying state is the best financial move, check the full affordability breakdown for Hawaii.
The pay gap between the highest and lowest-paying states is $38,370. That spread sounds dramatic, but cost-of-living differences offset much of it. A carpenters making $46,910 in Oklahoma may have more purchasing power than one making $85,280 in Hawaii if rent and local prices differ enough.
By employment volume, the states with the most carpenters jobs are California (100,750 workers), New York (40,630 workers), Florida (39,300 workers). High employment numbers mean more job openings, more employer competition for talent, and usually more leverage when negotiating salary. States with fewer workers in the field may pay less but also have less competition for positions.
For the full state-by-state comparison with salary percentiles, cost-of-living adjustment, and rent affordability for carpenterss, see the complete salary data page.
Salary negotiation
Carpentry is less licensed and less unionized than electrical or plumbing, which means more variability in pay but also more room for individual negotiation. Your strongest levers: versatility (framing + finish work), self-sufficiency (owning your own tools and truck), blueprint reading competency, and foreman experience. Carpenters who can run a crew are worth significantly more than those who can only take direction.
What the data doesn't tell you
Carpentry has the widest skill range of any construction trade. A rough framing carpenter on a production home build and a custom furniture maker in a one-person shop are the same BLS occupation code with completely different work experiences, pay, and job satisfaction. The BLS median ($56,000) is the average of wildly different career paths.
See the full salary picture
Percentile breakdown, cost of living, rent burden, and purchasing power for carpenterss in every metro.
View Carpenters salaries →Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenters make?▼
The median carpenters salary in the United States is $60,580 per year ($29/hour). Entry-level positions start around $40,410, while experienced professionals earn up to $99,910.
What education do you need to become a carpenter?▼
Most carpenters positions require No formal educational credential. Requirements vary by state and employer. Check with your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
What is the job outlook for carpenters?▼
Check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for the latest employment projections for carpenters.
What are the highest paying states for carpenters?▼
The highest paying states for carpenters are Hawaii ($85,280), Illinois ($79,000), California ($75,920), Massachusetts ($75,200), Washington ($74,190). Salaries vary significantly by location due to cost of living and local demand.