verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Carpenter Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$75,920/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$36.50/hr
▲ 25% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
100,750
public U.S. Median
$60,580
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$68,569 #6 of 51

Carpenter pay in California, explained

Carpenters in California earn a median of $75,920 per year ($36.50 per hour), which is 25% above the national median of $60,580. Entry-level workers earn around $47,490, while the most experienced carpenters reach about $119,950. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $75,920 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $75,920 is worth about $68,569 in national buying power — ranking California #6 for real pay (vs #3 on the sticker number).

See the full Carpenter Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Carpenter pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$47,490
$22.83/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$75,920
$36.50/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$119,950
$57.67/hr

Carpenter pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $75,920 $68,569
Oregon $62,870 $60,826 +$13,050
Nevada $62,380 $62,393 +$13,540
Arizona $58,580 $58,186 +$17,340

Carpenter in California: FAQ

How much do carpenters make in California?

Carpenters in California earn a median of $75,920 per year ($36.50 per hour), compared with $60,580 nationally.

Does California pay carpenters well?

At $75,920, California pays 25% above the national median for carpenters. An estimated 100,750 work in the state.

Carpenter salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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