Carpenter salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Carpenters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $50,760 a year ($24.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,000 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $50,830. There are 2.3 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $53,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| 25th percentile | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Median | $50,760 | $24.41 |
| 75th percentile | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Average (mean) | $53,340 | $25.64 |
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 | $4,230 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,115 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,952.31 |
| Weekly | $976.15 |
| Hourly | $24.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $58,930 | 830 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $55,770 | 3,040 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $50,680 | 6,380 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $50,620 | 1,240 |
| Knoxville, TN | $50,400 | 1,280 |
| Morristown, TN | $49,110 | 130 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,080 | 290 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,480 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,340 | 390 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,950 | 170 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,920 | 160 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $46,750 | 180 |
| Gainesville, GA | $46,260 | 180 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $45,110 | 80 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $45,070 | 140 |
| Savannah, GA | $44,900 | 330 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $44,740 | 100 |
| Dalton, GA | $42,750 | 40 |
| Rome, GA | $42,000 | 40 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $41,670 | 70 |
| Albany, GA | $38,400 | 80 |
| Valdosta, GA | $37,840 | 40 |
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 |
See Carpenter pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Electrician | $72,330 | $34.77 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,720 | $28.23 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,660 | $33.49 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $61,880 | $29.75 |
| Roofer | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,170 | $21.72 |
| Glazier | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Pipelayer | $44,210 | $21.26 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $36,740 | $17.67 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for carpenters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $50,760 a year, or $24.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $66,000 a year. The top 25% earn $60,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,310 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $46,590 or less.
How many carpenters work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 620 carpenters are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.