Carpenter Salary · Updated May 2026

Carpenter salary in Tennessee

The median carpenter salary in Tennessee is $50,830 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 16% below the national median of $60,580. Most carpenters in Tennessee earn between $37,460 and $66,450, and the state ranks #38 of 51 for carpenter pay.

Median

$50,830

Entry (10th)

$37,460

Top (90th)

$66,450

State rank

#38/51

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

Tennessee vs. the national average

PercentileTennesseeNational
10th percentile (entry)$37,460$40,410
Median (50th)$50,830$60,580
90th percentile (top)$66,450$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 Tennessee: FAQ

How much does a carpenter make in Tennessee?
The median carpenter salary in Tennessee is $50,830 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 16% below the national median of $60,580. Most carpenters in the state earn between $37,460 and $66,450.
What is the starting salary for carpenters in Tennessee?
Entry-level carpenters in Tennessee — the bottom 10% — earn around $37,460 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top carpenters earn in Tennessee?
The highest-paid 10% of carpenters in Tennessee make about $66,450 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does Tennessee pay carpenters well?
Tennessee ranks #38 of 51 states and D.C. for carpenter pay, making it one of the lower-paying states for the trade. Its median of $50,830 is 16% below the U.S. median of $60,580.

Other trades in Tennessee

Electrician salary in Tennessee $61,090 Plumber salary in Tennessee $58,600 HVAC Technician salary in Tennessee $55,490 Roofer salary in Tennessee $45,690 Painter salary in Tennessee $43,230

Compare carpenters pay in every state

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 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 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.