Highest-Paying Carpenter Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of carpenters that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of carpenters:

• Carpenter Foreman is the highest-paid type of carpenter with an average salary of $58,922 and an average hourly rate of $28.33.

• The second highest-paying type of carpenter is journeyman, with an average salary of $57,682.

• The average carpenter salary is $41,748 per year, and the average hourly pay is $20.07.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a carpenter, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of carpenters are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of carpenters:

1. Carpenter Foreman

   Average Salary: $58,922

   A Carpenter Foreman supervises the work of a group of people engaged in carpentry, locksmith, or bricklaying work. They inspect buildings or other structures reported to be in need of repair and estimate the necessary time and materials for restoring them.

2. Journeyman

   Average Salary: $57,682

   A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.

3. Construction Foreman

   Average Salary: $57,121

   A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays. They also identify cost-reduction opportunities by handling negotiation with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. A construction foreman inspects the quality of materials, including the equipment and machinery, allocates adequate resources for production, and resolves issues immediately.

4. Lead Carpenter

   Average Salary: $49,228

   A lead carpenter is responsible for monitoring field carpenters on performing construction duties, analyzing schematics and blueprints, following clients’ specifications, completing the project within the agreed timeframe, and maintaining materials with the budget goals, ensuring the highest quality and client’s satisfaction. Lead carpenters regularly inspect the project, perform adjustments as needed, repair defects and inconsistencies, and adhere to the safety standards and protocols during operations. A lead carpenter must have excellent knowledge of the carpentry industry to handle clients’ demands and efficiently create the finished product.

5. General Foreman

   Average Salary: $48,517

   Using their knowledge and expertise of all construction disciplines, a general foreman plans and oversees operations within a construction site to ensure that everything is running smoothly. They are typically in charge of conducting regular inspections, coordinating with engineers and architects, managing the budget and expenditures, supervising workers, and ensuring that the project moves according to the desired time frame. Furthermore, a general foreman implements all safety regulations and policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment for everyone.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various carpenter that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Carpenters

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for carpenters.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Carpenter Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid carpenter job?

   The highest-paid carpenter job is a carpenter foreman. Carpenter Foremen earn an average salary of $58,922, which is $ 28.33 hourly.

   A Carpenter Foreman supervises the work of a group of people engaged in carpentry, locksmith, or bricklaying work. They inspect buildings or other structures reported to be in need of repair and estimate the necessary time and materials for restoring them.

2. What is a good salary for a carpenter?

   A good salary for a carpenter is $41,748 or more. The average carpenter salary is $41,748, so those making at least $41,748 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average carpenter salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a carpenter, the average entry level salary is $25,390, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $41,748 average, as this includes all carpenters of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Carpenter jobs pay well?

   No, carpenter jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some carpenter jobs pay better than others, but the average carpenter salary of $41,748 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many carpenter jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of carpenters earning $51,327 a year on average.

   Carpenters’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a carpenter. Do your research on the going rate for a carpenter in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do carpenters get paid the most?

   Carpenters get paid the most in Connecticut. In Connecticut, carpenters earn an average annual salary of $53,424 and an average hourly wage of $25.68.

   Following CT, the states with the highest-paid carpenters are Vermont, New Jersey, and Wyoming, with average annual salaries of $47,363, $56,881, and $40,966 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid carpenter salaries are:

   1. New York, NY – $55,043

   2. Los Angeles, CA – $54,827

   3. Boston, MA – $52,932

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.