Quick answer: The median carpenter in Arizona earns $28.17/hr — about $58,580 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $76,000+. To hire one, a carpentry business typically bills $60–$85 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what carpenters earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Arizona compares to other states.
Carpenter income in Arizona (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Arizona's ~16,230 carpenters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $18.67 | ~$3,236 | ~$38,834 |
| Median (typical) | $28.17 | ~$4,882 | $58,580 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $36.52 | ~$6,330 | ~$75,962 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a carpenter takes home. What a carpentry business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median carpenter wage (earned) | ~$28/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $60–$85/hr |
Where Arizona ranks
Arizona pays carpenters 3% below the national median, ranking 29th of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $41.00 |
| Arizona (29th) | $28.17 |
| National median | $29.12 |
| Lowest — Oklahoma | $22.55 |
Carpenter rates by Arizona metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median carpenter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $29.00/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | $27.20/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Flagstaff | $26.91/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Arizona nonmetropolitan area | $24.63/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Tucson | $23.61/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Yuma | $23.04/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | $22.59/hr | $50–$70/hr |
What common carpentry jobs cost in Arizona
At Arizona billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Arizona range |
|---|---|
| Small repair / punch-list job | $100–$375 |
| Interior door installation | $150–$475 + door |
| Custom shelving / built-ins | $500–$2,400 |
| Crown molding installation | $400–$1,450 |
| Deck construction | $3,000–$9,500 |
| Framing (per project) | $1,000–$4,800 |
| Stair repair / build | $500–$2,400 |
| Cabinet installation | $400–$1,450 + cabinets |
| Window trim / casing | $200–$775 |
| Subfloor repair | $300–$1,150 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How carpenters compare to other trades in Arizona
Here's how carpenter pay lines up against Arizona's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $29.84/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Electrician | $29.36/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| HVAC technician | $28.56/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Carpenter | $28.17/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Roofer | $22.76/hr | $50–$70/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free carpenter estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do carpenters need a license in Arizona?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Arizona contractor & trade licensing to check whether carpenters need a state license in Arizona, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters make in Arizona?
The median carpenter in Arizona earns about $58,580 a year ($28.17/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level carpenters earn around $39,000 and the most experienced earn $76,000 or more.
Can a carpenter make $100,000 a year in Arizona?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of carpenters in Arizona earn about $76,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own carpentry business and billing $60–$85/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do carpenters charge per hour in Arizona?
In 2025, most Arizona carpenters bill $60–$85 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $28/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do carpenters earn more in Arizona than nationally?
Arizona's median carpenter wage is about 3% below the national median of $29.12/hr, ranking 29th of 51 states.
Which Arizona city pays carpenters the most?
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, at a $29.00/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for carpenters.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.