Quick answer: The median carpenter in Rhode Island earns $29.25/hr — about $60,840 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $90,000+. 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 Rhode Island compares to other states.
Carpenter income in Rhode Island (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Rhode Island's ~2,580 carpenters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $23.00 | ~$3,987 | ~$47,840 |
| Median (typical) | $29.25 | ~$5,070 | $60,840 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $43.11 | ~$7,472 | ~$89,669 |
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) | ~$29/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $65–$90/hr |
Where Rhode Island ranks
Rhode Island pays carpenters right at the national median, ranking 23rd of 51 states — right around the national middle:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $41.00 |
| Rhode Island (23rd) | $29.25 |
| National median | $29.12 |
| Lowest — Oklahoma | $22.55 |
What common carpentry jobs cost in Rhode Island
At Rhode Island billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Rhode Island range |
|---|---|
| Small repair / punch-list job | $100–$400 |
| Interior door installation | $150–$500 + door |
| Custom shelving / built-ins | $500–$2,500 |
| Crown molding installation | $400–$1,500 |
| Deck construction | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Framing (per project) | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Stair repair / build | $500–$2,500 |
| Cabinet installation | $400–$1,500 + cabinets |
| Window trim / casing | $200–$800 |
| Subfloor repair | $300–$1,200 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How carpenters compare to other trades in Rhode Island
Here's how carpenter pay lines up against Rhode Island's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $36.77/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Electrician | $35.62/hr | $80–$105/hr |
| HVAC technician | $32.39/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Roofer | $29.63/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Carpenter | $29.25/hr | $65–$90/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 Rhode Island?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Rhode Island contractor & trade licensing to check whether carpenters need a state license in Rhode Island, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters make in Rhode Island?
The median carpenter in Rhode Island earns about $60,840 a year ($29.25/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level carpenters earn around $48,000 and the most experienced earn $90,000 or more.
Can a carpenter make $100,000 a year in Rhode Island?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of carpenters in Rhode Island earn about $90,000 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 Rhode Island?
In 2025, most Rhode Island carpenters bill $65–$90 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $29/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do carpenters earn more in Rhode Island than nationally?
Rhode Island pays carpenters right about the national median of $29.12/hr, ranking 23rd of 51 states.
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.