Carpenter salary in Virginia
Carpenters in Virginia earn a median of $55,690 a year ($26.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 20,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,250 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $60,580. Virginia ranks 34th of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 5.0 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,390, close to the median.
Pay range for carpenters in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| 25th percentile | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Median | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| 75th percentile | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| Average (mean) | $55,390 | $26.63 |
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 cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $60,800 | 13,280 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $56,090 | 630 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,870 | 3,070 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $51,500 | 4,020 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $50,180 | 270 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $49,650 | 380 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $48,620 | 290 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,340 | 390 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $48,270 | 480 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $47,580 | 340 |
| Roanoke, VA | $47,050 | 830 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $43,560 | $20.94 |
| Electrician | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $52,220 | $25.10 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,930 | $24.49 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $55,840 | $26.84 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $54,680 | $26.29 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Roofer | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $48,060 | $23.10 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Pipelayer | $48,700 | $23.41 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for carpenters in Virginia is $55,690 a year, or $26.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Virginia?
The top 10% of carpenters in Virginia earn at least $74,250 a year. The top 25% earn $61,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,230 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $46,460 or less.
How many carpenters work in Virginia?
About 20,460 carpenters are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.