In these 25 best states for carpenters, those who know their way around wood can earn as much as $67,650, which is the highest annual median wage for the occupation. Besides, the demand for the occupation in some places will be so high that the number of available jobs will go up by nearly 40%.
According to Bureau Labor of Statistics, currently, around 640,000 people work as carpenters. Their average salary is $46,780 yearly. Compared to some other blue collar occupations, carpenters are somewhere in the middle when comes to paycheck, they earn far more than fast food cooks who are one of the lowest paying occupation with annual wage of around $20,000, but they are also far less compensated in comparison to elevators installers who earn around $76,000 on average.
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On this list, you will find some of the best paying states for carpenters. Regarding the best-paying industry, this occupation can count on the highest salaries in the electric power industry ($68,200 per year). However, this is also the field that has one of the smallest demands for carpenters. On the other side, residential building construction, which employs the greatest number of carpenters, pays far less – $43,530 annually.
In the following years, the demand for the occupation will be around 6%, which is almost the same as the US average for all professions. BLS estimates that the greatest number of job opening will be available in the residential building sector as the population growth will lead to new home building and remodeling. One of the best things about being a carpenter is that occupation offers self-employment opportunities. Some 39% of carpenters in the US are self-employed.
You do not need much schooling to become a carpenter. Besides a high school diploma, future workers are expected to finish 3-4 year apprenticeships program, which includes 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. The good thing is that the occupation allows relatively easy advancement and many carpenters become construction supervisors or independent contractors. Some might even consider pursuing a college degree in architecture especially when they realize how much BA and MA degree holders earn, which is presented in our article 25 Best States for Architects.
In creating the list of best states for carpenters we took into account three criteria – annual median wage, the number of employed carpenters per 1,000 residents and how much the demand for the occupation will increase by 2024. The data for first two criteria were obtained from BLS, while information about job prospects were found at Projections Central. We ranked states by these three criteria and then calculated average ranking to come up with this list.
25.Indiana
Annual median wage: $38,490
Rank by annual median wage: 30
Employment per 1,000: 4.56
Rank by employment per 1,000: 30
Job increase by 2024: 11.6%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 19
Average ranking: 26.3
We start today’s list with Indiana where annual median wage for carpenters is $38,490, which is some $3,000 less compared o national average. The state is listed here because of future job growth for the occupation. By 2024, Indiana will add 2,250 new jobs, which is 11.6% increase.
24. Florida
Annual median wage: $34,870
Rank by annual median wage: 45
Employment per 1,000: 4.621
Rank by employment per 1,000: 29
Job increase by 2024: 29%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 4
Average ranking: 26
The main reason why Florida found a place on this list is high future demand for carpenters. New job openings will increase by 29%, which is the fourth largest growth in the US. Note though that the salary is significantly lower than the national average.
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23. Missouri
Annual median wage: $50,710
Rank by annual median wage: 9
Employment per 1,000: 4.713
Rank by employment per 1,000: 27
Job increase by 2024: 6.9%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 38
Average ranking: 24.6
Compared to just mentioned Florida, Missouri offers a much higher wage but fewer chances to find a job as a carpenter in the future. By 2024 the number of jobs for this occupation will rise by 6.9%, which is a little higher compared to the national average for all occupations.
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22. Minnesota
Annual median wage: $46,730
Rank by annual median wage: 12
Employment per 1,000: 4.968
Rank by employment per 1,000: 24
Job increase by 2024: 7.2%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 37
Average ranking: 24.3
In Minnesota, carpenters can expect solid wage and average employment opportunities. The demand for the occupation in the future will be higher than the national average.
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21. Wisconsin
Annual median wage: $44,350
Rank by annual median wage: 15
Employment per 1,000: 5.03
Rank by employment per 1,000: 23
Job increase by 2024: 7.5%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 34
Average ranking:
Although carpenters in Wisconsin earn less than in previously mentioned Minnesota, the state is ranked higher because of slightly better employment opportunities in the present as well as in the future.
20. Nebraska
Annual median wage: $33,700
Rank by annual median wage: 50
Employment per 1,000: 7.783
Rank by employment per 1,000: 5
Job increase by 2024: 13.2%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 16
Average ranking: 23.6
Carpenters in Nebraska earn far less compared to their colleagues in the majority of listed states on this list. However, the state has one of the highest numbers of employed carpenters per 1,000 residents. In addition, the demand for the occupation in the future will be high as there will be 13.2% increase in job openings.
19. Iowa
Annual median wage: $39,020
Rank by annual median wage: 28
Employment per 1,000: 5.031
Rank by employment per 1,000: 22
Job increase by 2024: 11.2%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 21
Average ranking: 23.6
In Iowa, the annual median wage is lower by some $3,000 compared to the national average for the occupation. However, there are solid chances to find a job as a carpenter in this state, and that won’t change much in the future.
18. Wyoming
Annual median wage: $43,680
Rank by annual median wage: 19
Employment per 1,000: 11.245
Rank by employment per 1,000: 1
Job increase by 2024: -0.7%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 49
Average ranking: 23
Currently, Wyoming has the highest number of carpenters per 1,000 residents in the US. However, that will change in the future since the demand for the occupation will go down. Projections show that by 2024 there will be 0.7% less available jobs for carpenters. In number terms, it means that current 4,570 positions will be reduced to 4,530, so the decrease is not as bad as it might seem at first sight.
17. Delaware
Annual median wage: $43,030
Rank by annual median wage: 22
Employment per 1,000: 4.382
Rank by employment per 1,000: 33
Job increase by 2024: 17.8%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 11
Average ranking: 22
Delaware is ranked on this list mainly because of future job openings for carpenters. By 2024, the number of available jobs will rise 17.8%. Although it might seem high, we should emphasize that it will actually mean around 80 new job openings per year.
16. Pennsylvania
Annual median wage: $42,900
Rank by annual median wage: 23
Employment per 1,000: 5.503
Rank by employment per 1,000: 18
Job increase by 2024: 10%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 24
Average ranking: 21.6
We are continuing our list of best states for carpenters with Pennsylvania that occupies a higher ranking than Delaware because of better employment opportunities right now. In terms of other criteria, carpenters earn less and the occupation will also have a smaller percentage increase in job openings than in Delaware.
15. New Jersey
Annual median wage: $52,490
Rank by annual median wage: 5
Employment per 1,000: 4.24
Rank by employment per 1,000: 37
Job increase by 2024:10.6%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 23
Average ranking: 21.6
New Jersey found its place on this list because of annual median wage, which is fifth highest in the United States. Regarding other criteria, the state currently does not offer as much employment opportunities as other listed places. In the future, the number of available jobs will increase by 10.6%, and on average there will be 510 new job openings per year.
14. Maryland
Annual median wage: $44,430
Rank by annual median wage: 14
Employment per 1,000: 4.726
Rank by employment per 1,000: 26
Job increase by 2024: 11.6%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 20
Average ranking: 20
Solid earnings and job prospects are two things that carpenters can expect in Maryland, next on the list of best states for carpenters. The median wage is higher than the national average and there will be 1,420 new jobs for the occupation by 2024.
13. Idaho
Annual median wage: $34,900
Rank by annual median wage: 44
Employment per 1,000: 6.895
Rank by employment per 1,000: 11
Job increase by 2024: 28.9%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 5
Average ranking: 20
Idaho’s demand for carpenters will boom in next few years. The median wage of $34,900 is pretty low, but the state will have a rise of 28.9% in Carpenter job openings in the future. With such an increase, one can expect that the wage will also go up.
12. Rhode Island
Annual median wage: $43,770
Rank by annual median wage: 17
Employment per 1,000: 5.567
Rank by employment per 1,000: 17
Job increase by 2024: 11.1%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 22
Average ranking: 18.6
Nice paycheck, good chances to find a job currently as well as in the future… it seems that being a carpenter on the Rhode Island does not have downsides. Still, continue to read our list 10 best states for carpenters and you will definitively find places that have much more to offer for this occupation.
11. Vermont
Annual median wage: $41,830
Rank by annual median wage: 26
Employment per 1,000: 10.01
Rank by employment per 1,000: 2
Location quotient: 2.16
Rank by location quotient: 2
Job increase by 2024: 8.9
Rank by job increase by 2024: 27
Average ranking: 18.3
Currently, Vermont has the second highest number of employed carpenters per 1,000 residents. In addition employment opportunities for the occupation will rise by 8.9% which is greater than the national average. Note though that median salary is slightly lower compared to how much carpenters earn on average in the entire US.
10. Utah
Annual median wage: $35,600
Rank by annual median wage: 43
Employment per 1,000: 7.243
Rank by employment per 1,000: 9
Job increase by 2024: 34.9%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 3
Average ranking: 18.3
An annual median wage that is some $7,000 lower than the national average on one side and excellent employment prospects in the present as well as in the future on the other are things that Utah that ranked 10th on our list of best states for carpenters offers to them.
9. Alaska
Annual median wage: $67,650
Rank by annual median wage: 1
Employment per 1,000: 7.758
Rank by employment per 1,000: 6
Job increase by 2024: 5.1%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 45
Average ranking: 17.3
Alaska is the best-paying state for carpenters in the US. It also has one of the highest numbers of employed carpenters per 1,000 residents. The only reason why it did not rank higher on this list is relatively low demand for the occupation in the future.
8. Colorado
Annual median wage: $41,870
Rank by annual median wage: 25
Employment per 1,000: 5.324
Rank by employment per 1,000: 21
Job increase by 2024: 38.5%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 2
Average ranking: 16
Unlike in previously mentioned Alaska, the best thing in Colorado is the future demand for carpenters which is second highest in the US. The state will see 38.2% increase in job openings and on average 1,030 new jobs will be available yearly.
7. Oregon
Annual median wage: $43,050
Rank by annual median wage: 21
Employment per 1,000: 6.411
Rank by employment per 1,000: 14
Job increase by 2024: 24.2%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 8
Average ranking: 14.3
In Oregon, next in line on our list of best states for carpenters, carpenters earn a little more compared to national average. At the same time, current employment opportunities, as well as future demand, show that there are enough jobs for the occupation.
6. Montana
Annual median wage: $40,480
Rank by annual median wage: 27
Employment per 1,000: 8.944
Rank by employment per 1,000: 4
Job increase by 2024: 20.7%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 10
Average ranking: 13.6
The annual median wage for carpenters in Nevada, next on our list of best states for carpenters is some $1,500 lower than the US average. On the good side, workers in this occupation do not have troubles finding a job. The state has the fourth largest number of carpenters per 1,000 residents in America. At the same time, the future increase of 20.7% in new openings means that job market will remain widely open for this occupation.
5. New York
Annual median wage: $52,020
Rank by annual median wage: 6
Employment per 1,000: 5.338
Rank by employment per 1,000: 19
Job increase by 2024: 16%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 13
Average ranking: 12.6
Besides California, New York that ranked 5th on our list of best states for carpenters currently has the greatest number of employed carpenters and the demand for the occupation will continue to grow in the future – there will be on average 1,870 new job posts per year. In addition, the median wage is $10,000 higher than the national average.
4. Hawaii
Annual median wage: $65,990
Rank by annual median wage: 2
Employment per 1,000: 6.962
Rank by employment per 1,000: 10
Job increase by 2024: 9.5%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 26
Average ranking: 12.6
Here comes another state that for many is Earth’s paradise – Hawaii, next on our list of best states for carpenters. It is also the second best-paying state in the US for carpenters. The demand for the occupation is high and it will remain the case in the future.
3. California
Annual median wage: $50,600
Rank by annual median wage: 10
Employment per 1,000: 5.327
Rank by employment per 1,000: 20
Job increase by 2024: 27.7%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 6
Average ranking: 12
Except for the weather, there are a few reasons why California, the number 3 on our list of best states for carpenters is a good choice for carpenters – the state currently has the highest number of people working in this field. There are 120,000 carpenters in the state (which is 5.3 per 1,000 residents) and their number will go up by 27.7% by 2024. In addition, the median salary of $50,600 seems like a good bargain.
2. Nevada
Annual median wage: $43,740
Rank by annual median wage: 18
Employment per 1,000: 7.728
Rank by employment per 1,000: 7
Job increase by 2024: 25.7%
Rank by job increase by 2024: 7
Average ranking: 10.6
In Nevada, that rankd 2nd o our list of best states for carpenters, carpenters earn $43,740, which is not as high as in previously mentioned Alaska, California or Hawaii. However, the fact that state has one of the highest numbers of working carpenters per 1,000 residents and that there will be 25.7% increase in job openings for the occupation put Nevada on the second place on our list.
1.Washington
Annual median wage: $51.580
Rank by annual median wage: 7
Employment per 1,000: 7.493
Rank by employment per 1,000: 8
Job increase by 2024: 16
Rank by job increase by 2024: 14%
Average ranking: 9.6
Great salary, excellent job prospects, and significant growth in new job posts – these are the reasons why Washington ranked as first on our list of best states for carpenters.
