Helpers--Carpenters salary in California
Helpers--Carpenters in California earn a median of $49,890 a year ($23.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,080 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $43,780. California ranks 6th of 47 states for Helpers--Carpenters pay. There are 0.15 Helpers--Carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Carpenters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| 25th percentile | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Median | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| 75th percentile | $64,810 | $31.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Average (mean) | $54,530 | $26.22 |
Half of Helpers--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 | $4,157.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,078.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,918.85 |
| Weekly | $959.42 |
| Hourly | $23.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Helpers--Carpenters salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $64,810 | 750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $62,370 | 340 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $59,090 | 50 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $50,590 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,710 | 500 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $45,040 | 190 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $44,300 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,150 | 250 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Carpenters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $58,090 |
| Colorado | $50,900 |
| Connecticut | $50,460 |
| Rhode Island | $50,300 |
| Maine | $50,100 |
| California | $49,890 |
| Massachusetts | $48,130 |
| New York | $47,740 |
| Arkansas | $46,800 |
| Washington | $46,060 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $52,080 | $25.04 |
| Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other | $48,430 | $23.29 |
| Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Helpers--Roofers | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| 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 |
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 47-3012. 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 Helpers--Carpenters make in California?
The median salary for Helpers--Carpenters in California is $49,890 a year, or $23.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Carpenters make in California?
The top 10% of Helpers--Carpenters in California earn at least $76,080 a year. The top 25% earn $64,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Carpenters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,690 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Carpenters earn $43,150 or less.
How many Helpers--Carpenters work in California?
About 2,670 Helpers--Carpenters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.