Carpenter salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Carpenters in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $65,690 a year ($31.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,540 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 3% higher than the New Jersey statewide median of $64,010. There are 2.5 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $77,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| 25th percentile | $53,250 | $25.60 |
| Median | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| 75th percentile | $106,880 | $51.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,540 | $58.43 |
| Average (mean) | $77,380 | $37.20 |
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 | $5,474.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,737.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,526.54 |
| Weekly | $1,263.27 |
| Hourly | $31.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,690 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Carpenter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $74,300 | 34,210 |
| Vineland, NJ | $63,440 | 180 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,780 | 14,260 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $60,840 | 970 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $59,540 | 1,390 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $71,920 | $34.58 |
| Electrician | $98,210 | $47.21 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $69,800 | $33.56 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Roofer | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $116,360 | $55.94 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $71,820 | $34.53 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $53,820 | $25.87 |
| Glazier | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $104,310 | $50.15 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $82,660 | $39.74 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $45,430 | $21.84 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for carpenters in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $65,690 a year, or $31.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $121,540 a year. The top 25% earn $106,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,700 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $53,250 or less.
How many carpenters work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 610 carpenters are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.