Carpenter Salary · Updated May 2026

Carpenter salary in California

The median carpenter salary in California is $75,920 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 25% above the national median of $60,580. Most carpenters in California earn between $47,490 and $119,950, and the state ranks #3 of 51 for carpenter pay.

Median

$75,920

Entry (10th)

$47,490

Top (90th)

$119,950

State rank

#3/51

Annual wages, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

California vs. the national average

PercentileCaliforniaNational
10th percentile (entry)$47,490$40,410
Median (50th)$75,920$60,580
90th percentile (top)$119,950$99,910

For context, the highest-paying state for carpenters is Hawaii ($85,280 median) and the lowest is Oklahoma ($46,910).

Licensing & taxes for carpenters

Carpentry is rarely licensed at the individual level — only about 22 states regulate it directly. Far more common is a general contractor license required once a job exceeds a set dollar threshold, so most self-employed carpenters need a contractor license to bid larger work.

Whether you charge sales tax on your labor depends on the state and the type of job. Several states tax services by default, and many distinguish a real-property improvement (often not taxed to the customer) from a repair of tangible property (often taxed). This isn't tax advice — confirm with your state revenue department.

For the full state-by-state licensing, reciprocity, and sales-tax breakdown, see the carpenter salary & licensing guide.

Carpenter pay in California: FAQ

How much does a carpenter make in California?
The median carpenter salary in California is $75,920 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 25% above the national median of $60,580. Most carpenters in the state earn between $47,490 and $119,950.
What is the starting salary for carpenters in California?
Entry-level carpenters in California — the bottom 10% — earn around $47,490 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top carpenters earn in California?
The highest-paid 10% of carpenters in California make about $119,950 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does California pay carpenters well?
California ranks #3 of 51 states and D.C. for carpenter pay, making it one of the higher-paying states for the trade. Its median of $75,920 is 25% above the U.S. median of $60,580.

Other trades in California

Electrician salary in California $76,160 Plumber salary in California $72,830 HVAC Technician salary in California $72,560 Roofer salary in California $63,600 Painter salary in California $59,020

Compare carpenters pay in every state

Hawaii $85,280 Illinois $79,000 Massachusetts $75,200 Washington $74,190 Alaska $73,860 New York $72,330 Minnesota $64,930 Connecticut $64,060 New Jersey $64,010 Maryland $62,960 Indiana $62,870 Oregon $62,870 Colorado $62,830 Vermont $62,400 Nevada $62,380 Maine $62,160 District of Columbia $61,710 Michigan $61,680 Wisconsin $61,660 New Hampshire $61,200 Missouri $60,840 Rhode Island $60,840 Ohio $60,810 New Mexico $59,720 Pennsylvania $59,370 Delaware $59,200 Montana $58,820 Arizona $58,580 North Dakota $57,890 Iowa $57,710 Kansas $56,960 Wyoming $56,850 Virginia $55,690 Kentucky $52,680 Utah $52,360 Idaho $52,000 Tennessee $50,830 South Carolina $50,670 Nebraska $50,320 Louisiana $49,920 Florida $49,870 Georgia $49,350 North Carolina $49,100 Texas $48,900 West Virginia $48,710 Mississippi $48,650 Alabama $48,220 South Dakota $48,140 Arkansas $47,760 Oklahoma $46,910

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS OEWS, May 2025, via the BLS public API (SOC 47-2031). Wages are annual and vary by experience, licensing, certification, and local demand. See all carpenters by state or trade salaries by state.