Carpenter salary in District of Columbia
Carpenters in District of Columbia earn a median of $61,710 a year ($29.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,720 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $60,580. District of Columbia ranks 18th of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 2.2 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $65,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| 25th percentile | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Median | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| 75th percentile | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Average (mean) | $65,990 | $31.73 |
Half of 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 | $5,142.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,571.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,373.46 |
| Weekly | $1,186.73 |
| Hourly | $29.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Carpenter salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $60,800 | 13,280 |
Highest-paying states for carpenters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Construction Laborer | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,520 | $28.61 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $64,450 | $30.98 |
| Glazier | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Pipelayer | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Roofer | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $91,280 | $43.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $86,520 | $41.60 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $86,200 | $41.44 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2031. 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 carpenter make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for carpenters in District of Columbia is $61,710 a year, or $29.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of carpenters in District of Columbia earn at least $80,720 a year. The top 25% earn $75,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,840 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $57,160 or less.
How many carpenters work in District of Columbia?
About 1,540 carpenters are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.