Carpenter salary in Knoxville, TN
Carpenters in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $50,400 a year ($24.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,100 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $50,830. There are 3.0 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $53,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| 25th percentile | $45,980 | $22.11 |
| Median | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| 75th percentile | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,100 | $33.70 |
| Average (mean) | $53,520 | $25.73 |
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 | $4,200 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,100 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,938.46 |
| Weekly | $969.23 |
| Hourly | $24.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Carpenter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $55,770 | 3,040 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,760 | 620 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $50,620 | 1,240 |
| Morristown, TN | $49,110 | 130 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,080 | 290 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,480 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,340 | 390 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,950 | 170 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,920 | 160 |
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 |
See Carpenter pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Electrician | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,690 | $23.41 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Roofer | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $40,420 | $19.44 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Glazier | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $64,090 | $30.81 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for carpenters in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $50,400 a year, or $24.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $70,100 a year. The top 25% earn $59,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,600 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $45,980 or less.
How many carpenters work in Knoxville, TN?
About 1,280 carpenters are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.