Carpet Installer salary in California
Carpet Installers in California earn a median of $54,440 a year ($26.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,560 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $50,340. California ranks 16th of 45 states for carpet installers pay. There are 0.13 carpet installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpet installers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Median | $54,440 | $26.17 |
| 75th percentile | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,560 | $38.73 |
| Average (mean) | $59,640 | $28.67 |
Half of carpet installers 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 | $4,536.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,268.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,093.85 |
| Weekly | $1,046.92 |
| Hourly | $26.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpet Installer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $61,500 | 290 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $57,540 | 320 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $54,080 | 790 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $49,630 | 230 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $48,830 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $48,630 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for carpet installers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $115,180 |
| Minnesota | $85,910 |
| Alaska | $76,790 |
| Tennessee | $74,510 |
| Nevada | $67,040 |
| New Hampshire | $65,600 |
| Missouri | $63,960 |
| Wisconsin | $60,830 |
| Hawaii | $58,710 |
| Kansas | $57,920 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2041. 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 carpet installer make in California?
The median salary for carpet installers in California is $54,440 a year, or $26.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpet installers make in California?
The top 10% of carpet installers in California earn at least $80,560 a year. The top 25% earn $72,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpet installers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,380 a year, and a quarter of carpet installers earn $41,740 or less.
How many carpet installers work in California?
About 2,270 carpet installers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.