Carpenter salary in Tennessee
Carpenters in Tennessee earn a median of $50,830 a year ($24.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,450 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $60,580. Tennessee ranks 38th of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 2.5 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $53,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 25th percentile | $46,520 | $22.36 |
| Median | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| 75th percentile | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Average (mean) | $53,990 | $25.96 |
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 | $4,235.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,117.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,955 |
| Weekly | $977.50 |
| Hourly | $24.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $55,770 | 3,040 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,760 | 620 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $50,620 | 1,240 |
| Knoxville, TN | $50,400 | 1,280 |
| Morristown, TN | $49,110 | 130 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,080 | 290 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,480 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,340 | 390 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,950 | 170 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,920 | 160 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| Electrician | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Roofer | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $56,750 | $27.29 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $63,850 | $30.70 |
| Glazier | $48,610 | $23.37 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for carpenters in Tennessee is $50,830 a year, or $24.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of carpenters in Tennessee earn at least $66,450 a year. The top 25% earn $59,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,460 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $46,520 or less.
How many carpenters work in Tennessee?
About 8,200 carpenters are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.