Carpenters Salary in California
Carpenters in California earn a median annual wage of $75,920 —25.3% above the national median of $60,580. That ranks CA #3 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.28× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for carpenters
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $85,280 | $41.00 | 4,810 | 1.78 |
| 2 | Illinois | $79,000 | $37.98 | 19,570 | 0.74 |
| 3 | California | $75,920 | $36.50 | 100,750 | 1.28 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $75,200 | $36.16 | 18,540 | 1.18 |
| 5 | Washington | $74,190 | $35.67 | 26,960 | 1.76 |
| 6 | Alaska | $73,860 | $35.51 | 2,560 | 1.82 |
| 7 | New York | $72,330 | $34.77 | 40,630 | 0.97 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $64,930 | $31.22 | 14,930 | 1.17 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $64,060 | $30.80 | 5,160 | 0.71 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $64,010 | $30.77 | 14,230 | 0.77 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $60,270 | $47,120 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $79,920 |
| Electricians | $76,160 | $63,190 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $59,850 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $63,800 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $49,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters make in California?
The median annual wage for carpenters in California is $75,920, or $36.50 per hour. That is 25.3% above the national median of $60,580.
What is the entry-level carpenters salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $47,490 per year ($22.83/hour). The 25th percentile is $59,740.
How many people work as carpenters in California?
About 100,750 people work in this occupation in California, or 5.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for carpenters?
California ranks #3 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.28x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays carpenters the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage at $85,280 per year, followed by Illinois ($79,000) and California ($75,920).