Careers → Construction → Carpenters

Carpenters

Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information

Carpenters in the United States earn a median salary of $60,580 per year — about $29 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 959K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.

Median Salary

$60,580

~$29/hr · ~$5,048/mo

US Jobs

959K

As fast as average

AI & Automation Risk

2/10

Safe

AI & Automation Risk

Safe 2/10

Carpentry is a highly physical occupation requiring manual dexterity, strength, and real-time problem-solving in unpredictable physical environments. While AI may assist with peripheral tasks like blueprint analysis, material estimation, or business management, the core work of cutting, fitting, and installing materials remains resistant to automation.

Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home

Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.

City	Local Salary	Cost of Living	Real Purchasing Power
Kankakee, ILBEST VALUE	$95,280	Below avg (92.4)	$103,079
Decatur, IL	$87,220	Below avg (86.7)	$100,645
Michigan City-La Porte, IN	$91,970	Below avg (92.0)	$99,943
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$84,430	Below avg (90.8)	$92,980
Springfield, IL	$76,970	Below avg (90.7)	$84,908
Peoria, IL	$75,280	Below avg (88.8)	$84,742
Urban Honolulu, HI	$94,310	Above avg (111.4)	$84,641
Fairbanks-College, AK	$84,970	Average (101.2)	$83,963
Janesville-Beloit, WI	$75,390	Below avg (91.5)	$82,377
Bloomington, IL	$75,470	Below avg (92.1)	$81,927
Rockford, IL	$72,770	Below avg (90.2)	$80,707
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$80,440	Average (102.5)	$78,489
Springfield, MA	$75,520	Average (98.1)	$77,008
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$82,110	Above avg (107.2)	$76,600
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$89,200	Above avg (117.6)	$75,882