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
Michigan City-La Porte, INBEST VALUE	$91,970	Below avg (91.7)	$100,314
Kankakee, IL	$95,280	Below avg (96.4)	$98,844
Decatur, IL	$87,220	Below avg (88.4)	$98,641
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$84,430	Below avg (92.9)	$90,854
Urban Honolulu, HI	$94,310	Above avg (111.0)	$84,994
Springfield, IL	$76,970	Below avg (92.7)	$82,991
Peoria, IL	$75,280	Below avg (91.2)	$82,516
Fairbanks-College, AK	$84,970	Above avg (103.2)	$82,329
Bloomington, IL	$75,470	Below avg (93.5)	$80,685
Janesville-Beloit, WI	$75,390	Below avg (93.7)	$80,456
Rockford, IL	$72,770	Below avg (92.2)	$78,966
Springfield, MA	$75,520	Below avg (96.1)	$78,617
El Centro, CA	$74,340	Below avg (95.2)	$78,110
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$80,440	Above avg (103.6)	$77,649
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$89,200	Above avg (115.6)	$77,154