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Salary comparison

Carpenters vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Carpenters by $19K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Carpenters land at $60,580 and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $79,920. The education gap is real: carpenter programs typically require no formal educational credential, while first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Carpenters is Hawaii ($85,280); for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers it's Washington ($109,570).

Carpenters
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Median salary
$60,580
$79,920
Hourly rate
$29.12/hr
$38.42/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$40,410
$53,280
Senior level (90th %)
$99,910
$128,260
Education required
No formal educational credential
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
670,090
812,210
Job growth (10-year)
4.5%
5.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
Hawaii
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Carpenters median pay.

State
Carpenters
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Hawaii
$85,280
$102,630
Illinois
$79,000
$105,750
California
$75,920
$97,680
Massachusetts
$75,200
$97,850
Washington
$74,190
$109,570
Alaska
$73,860
$102,140
New York
$72,330
$95,700
Minnesota
$64,930
$97,610
Connecticut
$64,060
$92,260
New Jersey
$64,010
$105,510
Oregon
$62,870
$103,070
District of Columbia
$61,710
$86,520
Wisconsin
$61,660
$85,350
Rhode Island
$60,840
$98,590
Missouri
$60,840
$87,520

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Carpenters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn more nationally. The median is $60,580 for Carpenters versus $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, a difference of $19K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Carpenters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.3% projected growth, compared to 4.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Carpenters or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

Carpenters typically requires no formal educational credential. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Carpenters get paid the most?

Hawaii is the top-paying state for Carpenters at $85,280/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Carpenters vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Carpenters earn $85,280 vs. $102,630 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Carpenters salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Carpenters by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a carpentersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →