Quick answer: The median carpenter in Colorado earns $30.21/hr — about $62,830 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $91,000+. To hire one, a carpentry business typically bills $65–$90 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 Colorado compares to other states.
Carpenter income in Colorado (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Colorado's ~12,740 carpenters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $22.61 | ~$3,919 | ~$47,029 |
| Median (typical) | $30.21 | ~$5,236 | $62,830 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $43.62 | ~$7,561 | ~$90,730 |
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) | ~$30/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $65–$90/hr |
Where Colorado ranks
Colorado pays carpenters 4% above the national median, ranking 14th of 51 states — in the upper tier nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $41.00 |
| Colorado (14th) | $30.21 |
| National median | $29.12 |
| Lowest — Oklahoma | $22.55 |
Carpenter rates by Colorado metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median carpenter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $32.13/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $31.21/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $30.77/hr | $70–$90/hr |
| Grand Junction | $28.96/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Boulder | $28.73/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $28.04/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Greeley | $27.83/hr | $60–$85/hr |
What common carpentry jobs cost in Colorado
At Colorado billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Colorado range |
|---|---|
| Small repair / punch-list job | $100–$425 |
| Interior door installation | $150–$525 + door |
| Custom shelving / built-ins | $500–$2,600 |
| Crown molding installation | $400–$1,550 |
| Deck construction | $3,000–$10,500 |
| Framing (per project) | $1,000–$5,200 |
| Stair repair / build | $500–$2,600 |
| Cabinet installation | $400–$1,550 + cabinets |
| Window trim / casing | $200–$825 |
| Subfloor repair | $300–$1,250 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How carpenters compare to other trades in Colorado
Here's how carpenter pay lines up against Colorado's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC technician | $31.35/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Plumber | $30.40/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Carpenter | $30.21/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Electrician | $29.92/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Roofer | $24.88/hr | $55–$75/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 Colorado?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Colorado contractor & trade licensing to check whether carpenters need a state license in Colorado, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters make in Colorado?
The median carpenter in Colorado earns about $62,830 a year ($30.21/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level carpenters earn around $47,000 and the most experienced earn $91,000 or more.
Can a carpenter make $100,000 a year in Colorado?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of carpenters in Colorado earn about $91,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own carpentry business and billing $65–$90/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do carpenters charge per hour in Colorado?
In 2025, most Colorado carpenters bill $65–$90 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $30/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do carpenters earn more in Colorado than nationally?
Yes — Colorado's median carpenter wage is about 4% above the national median of $29.12/hr, ranking 14th of 51 states.
Which Colorado city pays carpenters the most?
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area, at a $32.13/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.