Carpenter salary in Rapid City, SD
Carpenters in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $48,640 a year ($23.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,400 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $48,140. There are 12 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 25th percentile | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Median | $48,640 | $23.39 |
| 75th percentile | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Average (mean) | $51,940 | $24.97 |
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 | $4,053.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,026.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,870.77 |
| Weekly | $935.38 |
| Hourly | $23.39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $51,100 | 350 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $49,410 | 1,640 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Electrician | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $55,850 | $26.85 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $49,100 | $23.60 |
| Roofer | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| Glazier | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Pipelayer | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $44,280 | $21.29 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $77,900 | $37.45 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for carpenters in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $48,640 a year, or $23.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $63,400 a year. The top 25% earn $60,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,750 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $44,380 or less.
How many carpenters work in Rapid City, SD?
About 870 carpenters are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.