Carpenter salary in Columbia, MO
Carpenters in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $56,160 a year ($27.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,910 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 8% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $60,840. There are 4.8 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| 25th percentile | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Median | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| 75th percentile | $70,400 | $33.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,910 | $42.27 |
| Average (mean) | $57,900 | $27.84 |
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 | $4,680 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,340 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,160 |
| Weekly | $1,080 |
| Hourly | $27.00 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $70,990 | 7,210 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $63,740 | 180 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $61,810 | 4,540 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $60,150 | 220 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $57,030 | 430 |
| Springfield, MO | $52,000 | 920 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $48,540 | 300 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $56,810 | $27.31 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $56,770 | $27.29 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Electrician | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Roofer | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $79,100 | $38.03 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $72,190 | $34.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $61,170 | $29.41 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for carpenters in the Columbia, MO metro area is $56,160 a year, or $27.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $87,910 a year. The top 25% earn $70,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,130 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $45,660 or less.
How many carpenters work in Columbia, MO?
About 510 carpenters are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.