Carpenter salary in North Carolina
Carpenters in North Carolina earn a median of $49,100 a year ($23.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,160 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $60,580. North Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 2.7 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $50,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| 25th percentile | $42,150 | $20.27 |
| Median | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| 75th percentile | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,160 | $30.36 |
| Average (mean) | $50,510 | $24.28 |
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 | $4,091.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,045.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,888.46 |
| Weekly | $944.23 |
| Hourly | $23.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $51,540 | 520 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $51,500 | 4,020 |
| Asheville, NC | $51,290 | 750 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,960 | 3,730 |
| Wilmington, NC | $50,830 | 640 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $50,820 | 2,680 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,940 | 510 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $49,920 | 60 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,910 | 760 |
| Burlington, NC | $49,280 | 100 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $48,880 | 140 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $48,260 | 250 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $47,840 | 90 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $47,490 | 140 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $46,800 | 280 |
| Greenville, NC | $46,750 | 180 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Electrician | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Pipelayer | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Roofer | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,080 | $21.67 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for carpenters in North Carolina is $49,100 a year, or $23.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of carpenters in North Carolina earn at least $63,160 a year. The top 25% earn $58,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,620 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $42,150 or less.
How many carpenters work in North Carolina?
About 13,480 carpenters are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.