Carpenters Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Carpenters in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC make a median of $48,910 a year, or about $23.51 an hour. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $65K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $50,128 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,711/month — about 50.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $49K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About carpenters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level carpenters (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $65K or more - a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Carpenters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $86K | +45% | 5,630 |
| Illinois | $76K | +29% | 24,930 |
| California | $75K | +26% | 106,500 |
| Washington | $73K | +24% | 26,340 |
| Massachusetts | $71K | +20% | 19,100 |
| District of Columbia | $66K | +11% | 1,270 |
| Alaska | $65K | +10% | 2,700 |
| Minnesota | $65K | +9% | 15,190 |
| New York | $64K | +7% | 44,500 |
| Connecticut | $64K | +7% | 5,680 |
| Nevada | $62K | +5% | 13,420 |
| Vermont | $62K | +5% | 3,010 |
| New Jersey | $62K | +4% | 12,930 |
| Michigan | $61K | +4% | 21,550 |
| Oregon | $61K | +3% | 16,390 |
Track carpenters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $48,910 a year - that works out to about $23.51 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,760, and experienced carpenters can clear $65,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,261/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a carpenters salary go in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median carpenters salary is worth about $50,128 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do carpenters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.