Carpenter salary in Illinois
Carpenters in Illinois earn a median of $79,000 a year ($37.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,660 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $60,580. Illinois ranks 2nd of 51 states for carpenters pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 3.2 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $80,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,890 | $19.18 |
| 25th percentile | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Median | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| 75th percentile | $106,950 | $51.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,660 | $56.57 |
| Average (mean) | $80,320 | $38.62 |
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 | $6,583.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,291.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,038.46 |
| Weekly | $1,519.23 |
| Hourly | $37.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee, IL | $95,280 | 120 |
| Decatur, IL | $87,220 | 180 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,440 | 14,220 |
| Springfield, IL | $76,970 | 290 |
| Bloomington, IL | $75,470 | 170 |
| Peoria, IL | $75,280 | 780 |
| Rockford, IL | $72,770 | 810 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $70,990 | 7,210 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $66,980 | 310 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $63,740 | 180 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,440 | 670 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $51,700 | 310 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Electrician | $99,560 | $47.87 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $99,950 | $48.05 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Roofer | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $89,980 | $43.26 |
| Glazier | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $69,880 | $33.60 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $100,400 | $48.27 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $73,060 | $35.13 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for carpenters in Illinois is $79,000 a year, or $37.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Illinois?
The top 10% of carpenters in Illinois earn at least $117,660 a year. The top 25% earn $106,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,890 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $56,160 or less.
How many carpenters work in Illinois?
About 19,570 carpenters are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.