Carpenter salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Carpenters in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $56,520 a year ($27.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,360 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 7% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $52,680. There are 4.4 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| 25th percentile | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Median | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| 75th percentile | $64,980 | $31.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Average (mean) | $57,480 | $27.63 |
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 | $4,710 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,355 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,173.85 |
| Weekly | $1,086.92 |
| Hourly | $27.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $91,970 | 260 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,440 | 14,220 |
| Columbus, IN | $67,780 | 190 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $65,520 | 1,170 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $65,070 | 4,960 |
| Evansville, IN | $64,690 | 790 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $63,050 | 300 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,690 | 500 |
| Bloomington, IN | $61,360 | 270 |
| Kokomo, IN | $61,000 | 120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $60,560 | 280 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $60,400 | 1,240 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $60,110 | 4,610 |
| Muncie, IN | $59,890 | 160 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $52,680 | 480 |
| Owensboro, KY | $52,360 | 210 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $52,030 | 1,200 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 780 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $51,700 | 310 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,080 | 290 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $49,070 | 190 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| Electrician | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $74,680 | $35.91 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $52,700 | $25.34 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Roofer | $49,160 | $23.64 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $69,280 | $33.31 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| Glazier | $55,170 | $26.52 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $50,960 | $24.50 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for carpenters in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $56,520 a year, or $27.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $75,360 a year. The top 25% earn $64,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,980 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $48,480 or less.
How many carpenters work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 2,990 carpenters are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.