Carpenter salary in California
Carpenters in California earn a median of $75,920 a year ($36.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 100,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,950 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $60,580. California ranks 3rd of 51 states for carpenters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 5.5 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| 25th percentile | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Median | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| 75th percentile | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,950 | $57.67 |
| Average (mean) | $78,810 | $37.89 |
Half of carpenters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,326.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,163.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,920 |
| Weekly | $1,460 |
| Hourly | $36.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $89,200 | 14,010 |
| Napa, CA | $80,590 | 650 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $80,520 | 2,150 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $80,190 | 4,460 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $77,690 | 700 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $77,220 | 820 |
| Vallejo, CA | $76,220 | 660 |
| Yuba City, CA | $76,100 | 220 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $75,740 | 30,600 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $75,140 | 1,100 |
| Merced, CA | $74,760 | 350 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $74,440 | 9,730 |
| El Centro, CA | $74,340 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $74,060 | 2,050 |
| Modesto, CA | $73,730 | 1,430 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $73,250 | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $73,200 | 8,710 |
| Chico, CA | $72,290 | 390 |
| Redding, CA | $71,750 | 310 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $70,880 | 12,970 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $69,160 | 1,260 |
| Salinas, CA | $67,530 | 1,210 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $66,540 | 1,100 |
| Visalia, CA | $64,390 | 650 |
| Fresno, CA | $63,470 | 1,790 |
Highest-paying states for carpenters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 |
| Illinois | $79,000 |
| California | $75,920 |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 |
| Washington | $74,190 |
| Alaska | $73,860 |
| New York | $72,330 |
| Minnesota | $64,930 |
| Connecticut | $64,060 |
| New Jersey | $64,010 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $59,940 | $28.82 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in California?
The median salary for carpenters in California is $75,920 a year, or $36.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in California?
The top 10% of carpenters in California earn at least $119,950 a year. The top 25% earn $95,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,490 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $59,740 or less.
How many carpenters work in California?
About 100,750 carpenters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.