Carpenter salary in State College, PA
Carpenters in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $55,690 a year ($26.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,710 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 6% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $59,370. There are 5.1 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,340 | $18.92 |
| 25th percentile | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Median | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| 75th percentile | $71,660 | $34.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Average (mean) | $60,990 | $29.32 |
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 | $4,640.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,320.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,141.92 |
| Weekly | $1,070.96 |
| Hourly | $26.77 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Carpenter pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $53,420 | $25.68 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Electrician | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,560 | $27.67 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| Glazier | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $66,940 | $32.18 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in State College, 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 State College, PA?
The median salary for carpenters in the State College, PA metro area is $55,690 a year, or $26.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of carpenters in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $81,710 a year. The top 25% earn $71,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,340 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $47,530 or less.
How many carpenters work in State College, PA?
About 350 carpenters are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.