Carpenter salary in Wilmington, NC
Carpenters in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $50,830 a year ($24.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,510 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 4% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $49,100. There are 3.4 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $51,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| 25th percentile | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Median | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| 75th percentile | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,510 | $31.01 |
| Average (mean) | $51,900 | $24.95 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $51,540 | 520 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $51,500 | 4,020 |
| Asheville, NC | $51,290 | 750 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,960 | 3,730 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $50,820 | 2,680 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,940 | 510 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $49,920 | 60 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,910 | 760 |
| Burlington, NC | $49,280 | 100 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $48,880 | 140 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $48,260 | 250 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $47,840 | 90 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $47,490 | 140 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $46,800 | 280 |
| Greenville, NC | $46,750 | 180 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Electrician | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $42,850 | $20.60 |
| Roofer | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Pipelayer | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $57,540 | $27.66 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| Glazier | $46,000 | $22.12 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for carpenters in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $50,830 a year, or $24.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $64,510 a year. The top 25% earn $59,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,010 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $45,890 or less.
How many carpenters work in Wilmington, NC?
About 640 carpenters are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.