Carpenter salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Carpenters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $63,910 a year ($30.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,180 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 4% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $61,660. There are 4.0 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| 25th percentile | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Median | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| 75th percentile | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,180 | $45.28 |
| Average (mean) | $68,240 | $32.81 |
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 | $5,325.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,662.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,458.08 |
| Weekly | $1,229.04 |
| Hourly | $30.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $84,430 | 650 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $75,390 | 360 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $74,060 | 10,200 |
| Madison, WI | $63,480 | 2,320 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $62,760 | 230 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $62,550 | 340 |
| Appleton, WI | $62,490 | 700 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $60,920 | 320 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $60,520 | 620 |
| Green Bay, WI | $60,320 | 860 |
| Kenosha, WI | $60,120 | 310 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $59,090 | 360 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $58,950 | 450 |
| Wausau, WI | $49,990 | 370 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Electrician | $77,800 | $37.41 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $84,700 | $40.72 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $79,430 | $38.19 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| Roofer | $60,140 | $28.91 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $96,010 | $46.16 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $95,730 | $46.02 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Glazier | $71,970 | $34.60 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $86,310 | $41.49 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for carpenters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $63,910 a year, or $30.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $94,180 a year. The top 25% earn $82,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,230 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $55,070 or less.
How many carpenters work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 3,310 carpenters are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.