Carpenter salary in Kentucky
Carpenters in Kentucky earn a median of $52,680 a year ($25.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,960 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $60,580. Kentucky ranks 35th of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 4.3 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| 25th percentile | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| Median | $52,680 | $25.33 |
| 75th percentile | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,960 | $35.08 |
| Average (mean) | $54,820 | $26.36 |
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 | $4,390 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,195 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,026.15 |
| Weekly | $1,013.08 |
| Hourly | $25.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $60,110 | 4,610 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $56,520 | 2,990 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $52,680 | 480 |
| Owensboro, KY | $52,360 | 210 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $52,030 | 1,200 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 780 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $51,700 | 310 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,080 | 290 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $49,070 | 190 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $64,160 | $30.84 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,680 | $29.17 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Roofer | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Glazier | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $50,380 | $24.22 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for carpenters in Kentucky is $52,680 a year, or $25.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of carpenters in Kentucky earn at least $72,960 a year. The top 25% earn $61,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,760 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $45,940 or less.
How many carpenters work in Kentucky?
About 8,540 carpenters are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.