Carpenter salary in Reading, PA
Carpenters in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $54,930 a year ($26.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,000 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 7% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $59,370. There are 4.3 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| 25th percentile | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| Median | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| 75th percentile | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Average (mean) | $56,560 | $27.19 |
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 | $4,577.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,288.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,112.69 |
| Weekly | $1,056.35 |
| Hourly | $26.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Carpenter pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| Electrician | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Roofer | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $67,550 | $32.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $59,160 | $28.44 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $69,000 | $33.17 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $51,920 | $24.96 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for carpenters in the Reading, PA metro area is $54,930 a year, or $26.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $79,000 a year. The top 25% earn $61,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,540 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $47,000 or less.
How many carpenters work in Reading, PA?
About 760 carpenters are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.