Carpenter salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Carpenters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $50,620 a year ($24.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,780 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 2.0 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $53,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| 25th percentile | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Median | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| 75th percentile | $58,790 | $28.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,780 | $31.15 |
| Average (mean) | $53,370 | $25.66 |
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 | $4,218.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,109.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,946.92 |
| Weekly | $973.46 |
| Hourly | $24.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $55,770 | 3,040 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,760 | 620 |
| Knoxville, TN | $50,400 | 1,280 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $49,470 | 530 |
| Jackson, MS | $49,330 | 660 |
| Morristown, TN | $49,110 | 130 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,080 | 290 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $49,070 | 1,130 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,480 | 80 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $48,360 | 210 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,340 | 390 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $48,050 | 1,080 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,950 | 170 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,920 | 160 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $43,950 | 110 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $43,370 | 130 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $42,650 | 90 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $42,420 | 240 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Electrician | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $53,870 | $25.90 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Roofer | $46,480 | $22.34 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $50,390 | $24.23 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Glazier | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $45,900 | $22.07 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for carpenters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $50,620 a year, or $24.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $64,780 a year. The top 25% earn $58,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,250 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $46,960 or less.
How many carpenters work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 1,240 carpenters are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.