Carpenter salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Carpenters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $60,800 a year ($29.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,590 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 1% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $61,710. There are 4.2 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| 25th percentile | $55,380 | $26.62 |
| Median | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| 75th percentile | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,590 | $43.56 |
| Average (mean) | $66,790 | $32.11 |
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 | $5,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,533.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,338.46 |
| Weekly | $1,169.23 |
| Hourly | $29.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | $62,880 | 210 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $62,380 | 3,870 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,780 | 14,260 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $58,240 | 160 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $56,600 | 350 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $56,090 | 630 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 780 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,870 | 3,070 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $51,500 | 4,020 |
| Salisbury, MD | $50,410 | 130 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $50,180 | 270 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $50,120 | 190 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $49,650 | 380 |
| Morgantown, WV | $49,160 | 450 |
| Charleston, WV | $49,060 | 370 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $48,620 | 290 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,340 | 390 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $48,270 | 480 |
| Beckley, WV | $48,000 | 250 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $47,580 | 340 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $47,090 | 170 |
| Roanoke, VA | $47,050 | 830 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Electrician | $75,930 | $36.50 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $71,860 | $34.55 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $61,660 | $29.64 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,560 | $24.31 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,350 | $28.05 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| Roofer | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Glazier | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $68,320 | $32.85 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $58,800 | $28.27 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for carpenters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $60,800 a year, or $29.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of carpenters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $90,590 a year. The top 25% earn $73,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,150 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $55,380 or less.
How many carpenters work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 13,280 carpenters are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.