Carpenter salary in Pennsylvania
Carpenters in Pennsylvania earn a median of $59,370 a year ($28.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 30,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,110 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pennsylvania ranks 26th of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 5.1 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,970 | $20.66 |
| 25th percentile | $47,850 | $23.01 |
| Median | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| 75th percentile | $74,700 | $35.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,110 | $44.29 |
| Average (mean) | $63,220 | $30.39 |
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 | $4,947.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,473.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,283.46 |
| Weekly | $1,141.73 |
| Hourly | $28.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,780 | 14,260 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,180 | 5,920 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $61,160 | 1,190 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $60,240 | 1,070 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $59,540 | 1,390 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $57,690 | 1,320 |
| Altoona, PA | $57,360 | 360 |
| Erie, PA | $56,850 | 530 |
| Lebanon, PA | $55,760 | 310 |
| Lancaster, PA | $55,690 | 2,750 |
| State College, PA | $55,690 | 350 |
| Reading, PA | $54,930 | 760 |
| Johnstown, PA | $54,560 | 190 |
| Williamsport, PA | $53,340 | 170 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $48,730 | 300 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $48,640 | 150 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Electrician | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Roofer | $55,710 | $26.79 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| Glazier | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $70,230 | $33.77 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for carpenters in Pennsylvania is $59,370 a year, or $28.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of carpenters in Pennsylvania earn at least $92,110 a year. The top 25% earn $74,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,970 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $47,850 or less.
How many carpenters work in Pennsylvania?
About 30,630 carpenters are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.