Carpenter salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Carpenters in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $50,130 a year ($24.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,040 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is about the same as the Louisiana statewide median of $49,920. There are 3.1 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $53,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| 25th percentile | $44,810 | $21.55 |
| Median | $50,130 | $24.10 |
| 75th percentile | $61,880 | $29.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| Average (mean) | $53,310 | $25.63 |
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 | $4,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,088.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,928.08 |
| Weekly | $964.04 |
| Hourly | $24.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $55,630 | 3,490 |
| Monroe, LA | $48,400 | 360 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $48,310 | 450 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $48,210 | 400 |
| Lafayette, LA | $47,440 | 580 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $46,920 | 480 |
| Alexandria, LA | $46,760 | 180 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $45,930 | 630 |
| Hammond, LA | $45,340 | 130 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Electrician | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $62,450 | $30.03 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $45,980 | $22.11 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,030 | $22.61 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,830 | $22.99 |
| Boilermaker | $77,290 | $37.16 |
| Glazier | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Pile Driver Operator | $61,610 | $29.62 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for carpenters in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $50,130 a year, or $24.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of carpenters in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $73,040 a year. The top 25% earn $61,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,250 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $44,810 or less.
How many carpenters work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 1,390 carpenters are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.