Carpenter salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Carpenters in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $51,500 a year ($24.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,460 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 8% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $55,690. There are 5.3 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| 25th percentile | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Median | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| 75th percentile | $60,370 | $29.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| Average (mean) | $54,350 | $26.13 |
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 | $4,291.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,145.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,980.77 |
| Weekly | $990.38 |
| Hourly | $24.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $60,800 | 13,280 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $56,090 | 630 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,870 | 3,070 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $51,540 | 520 |
| Asheville, NC | $51,290 | 750 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,960 | 3,730 |
| Wilmington, NC | $50,830 | 640 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $50,820 | 2,680 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $50,180 | 270 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,940 | 510 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $49,920 | 60 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,910 | 760 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $49,650 | 380 |
| Burlington, NC | $49,280 | 100 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $48,880 | 140 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $48,620 | 290 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,340 | 390 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $48,270 | 480 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $48,260 | 250 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $47,840 | 90 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $47,580 | 340 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $47,490 | 140 |
| Roanoke, VA | $47,050 | 830 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $46,800 | 280 |
| Greenville, NC | $46,750 | 180 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| Roofer | $46,480 | $22.34 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Pipelayer | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $43,730 | $21.03 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for carpenters in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $51,500 a year, or $24.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $73,460 a year. The top 25% earn $60,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,940 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $46,030 or less.
How many carpenters work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 4,020 carpenters are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.