Carpenter salary in Louisiana
Carpenters in Louisiana earn a median of $49,920 a year ($24.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,310 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $60,580. Louisiana ranks 41st of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 4.6 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,100 | $16.40 |
| 25th percentile | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| Median | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| 75th percentile | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,310 | $33.32 |
| Average (mean) | $51,600 | $24.81 |
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 | $4,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,080 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,920 |
| Weekly | $960 |
| Hourly | $24.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $55,630 | 3,490 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $50,130 | 1,390 |
| Monroe, LA | $48,400 | 360 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $48,310 | 450 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $48,210 | 400 |
| Lafayette, LA | $47,440 | 580 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $46,920 | 480 |
| Alexandria, LA | $46,760 | 180 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $45,930 | 630 |
| Hammond, LA | $45,340 | 130 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Electrician | $61,540 | $29.59 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,680 | $30.62 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $51,700 | $24.86 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Boilermaker | $73,980 | $35.57 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $68,830 | $33.09 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Roofer | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| Glazier | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $48,450 | $23.29 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for carpenters in Louisiana is $49,920 a year, or $24.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of carpenters in Louisiana earn at least $69,310 a year. The top 25% earn $59,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,100 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $43,730 or less.
How many carpenters work in Louisiana?
About 8,990 carpenters are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.