Quick answer: The median carpenter in Kentucky earns $25.33/hr — about $52,680 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $73,000+. To hire one, a carpentry business typically bills $55–$75 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 Kentucky compares to other states.
Carpenter income in Kentucky (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Kentucky's ~8,540 carpenters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.67 | ~$3,063 | ~$36,754 |
| Median (typical) | $25.33 | ~$4,390 | $52,680 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $35.08 | ~$6,081 | ~$72,966 |
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) | ~$25/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $55–$75/hr |
Where Kentucky ranks
Kentucky pays carpenters 13% below the national median, ranking 35th of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $41.00 |
| Kentucky (35th) | $25.33 |
| National median | $29.12 |
| Lowest — Oklahoma | $22.55 |
Carpenter rates by Kentucky metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median carpenter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $27.17/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Bowling Green | $25.33/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Lexington-Fayette | $25.01/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $24.86/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $23.22/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $23.02/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $22.97/hr | $50–$70/hr |
What common carpentry jobs cost in Kentucky
At Kentucky billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Kentucky range |
|---|---|
| Small repair / punch-list job | $75–$350 |
| Interior door installation | $125–$425 + door |
| Custom shelving / built-ins | $450–$2,150 |
| Crown molding installation | $350–$1,300 |
| Deck construction | $2,500–$8,500 |
| Framing (per project) | $900–$4,300 |
| Stair repair / build | $450–$2,150 |
| Cabinet installation | $350–$1,300 + cabinets |
| Window trim / casing | $175–$700 |
| Subfloor repair | $250–$1,050 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How carpenters compare to other trades in Kentucky
Here's how carpenter pay lines up against Kentucky's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $30.84/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Electrician | $28.71/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| HVAC technician | $28.18/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Carpenter | $25.33/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Roofer | $22.57/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 Kentucky?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Kentucky contractor & trade licensing to check whether carpenters need a state license in Kentucky, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters make in Kentucky?
The median carpenter in Kentucky earns about $52,680 a year ($25.33/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level carpenters earn around $37,000 and the most experienced earn $73,000 or more.
Can a carpenter make $100,000 a year in Kentucky?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of carpenters in Kentucky earn about $73,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own carpentry business and billing $55–$75/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do carpenters charge per hour in Kentucky?
In 2025, most Kentucky carpenters bill $55–$75 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $25/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do carpenters earn more in Kentucky than nationally?
Kentucky's median carpenter wage is about 13% below the national median of $29.12/hr, ranking 35th of 51 states.
Which Kentucky city pays carpenters the most?
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, at a $27.17/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.