Carpenter salary in Wisconsin
Carpenters in Wisconsin earn a median of $61,660 a year ($29.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,040 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $60,580. Wisconsin ranks 20th of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 4.7 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| 25th percentile | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| Median | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| 75th percentile | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,040 | $44.73 |
| Average (mean) | $65,300 | $31.39 |
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 | $5,138.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,569.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,371.54 |
| Weekly | $1,185.77 |
| Hourly | $29.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $84,430 | 650 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $75,390 | 360 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $74,060 | 10,200 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $63,910 | 3,310 |
| Madison, WI | $63,480 | 2,320 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $62,760 | 230 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $62,550 | 340 |
| Appleton, WI | $62,490 | 700 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $60,920 | 320 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $60,520 | 620 |
| Green Bay, WI | $60,320 | 860 |
| Kenosha, WI | $60,120 | 310 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $59,090 | 360 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $58,950 | 450 |
| Wausau, WI | $49,990 | 370 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Electrician | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $81,210 | $39.04 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $75,280 | $36.19 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $77,760 | $37.38 |
| Roofer | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $69,020 | $33.18 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $92,820 | $44.63 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $52,860 | $25.42 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,520 | $23.81 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for carpenters in Wisconsin is $61,660 a year, or $29.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of carpenters in Wisconsin earn at least $93,040 a year. The top 25% earn $79,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,110 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $49,750 or less.
How many carpenters work in Wisconsin?
About 13,880 carpenters are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.