Quick answer: Carpenters in Tennessee typically bill $55–$75 per hour (2025). The median carpenter earns $24.44/hr ($50,830/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a carpentry business charges roughly 2–3× that 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 Tennessee compares to other states.
Carpenter income in Tennessee (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Tennessee's ~8,200 carpenters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $18.01 | ~$3,122 | ~$37,461 |
| Median (typical) | $24.44 | ~$4,236 | $50,830 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $31.95 | ~$5,538 | ~$66,456 |
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) | ~$24/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $55–$75/hr |
Where Tennessee ranks
Tennessee pays carpenters 16% below the national median, ranking 38th of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $41.00 |
| Tennessee (38th) | $24.44 |
| National median | $29.12 |
| Lowest — Oklahoma | $22.55 |
Carpenter rates by Tennessee metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median carpenter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $26.81/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $24.41/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $24.34/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Knoxville | $24.23/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $23.60/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $23.24/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $22.25/hr | $50–$65/hr |
What common carpentry jobs cost in Tennessee
At Tennessee billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Tennessee range |
|---|---|
| Small repair / punch-list job | $75–$325 |
| Interior door installation | $125–$425 + door |
| Custom shelving / built-ins | $400–$2,100 |
| Crown molding installation | $350–$1,250 |
| Deck construction | $2,500–$8,500 |
| Framing (per project) | $800–$4,200 |
| Stair repair / build | $400–$2,100 |
| Cabinet installation | $350–$1,250 + cabinets |
| Window trim / casing | $175–$675 |
| Subfloor repair | $250–$1,000 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How carpenters compare to other trades in Tennessee
Here's how carpenter pay lines up against Tennessee's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $29.37/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Plumber | $28.17/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| HVAC technician | $26.68/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Carpenter | $24.44/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Roofer | $21.97/hr | $50–$65/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 Tennessee?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Tennessee contractor & trade licensing to check whether carpenters need a state license in Tennessee, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters charge per hour in Tennessee?
In 2025, most Tennessee carpenters bill $55–$75 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $24/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average carpenter salary in Tennessee?
The median carpenter in Tennessee earns about $50,830 a year ($24.44/hr). Entry-level carpenters earn around $37,000 and the most experienced earn $66,000 or more.
Do carpenters earn more in Tennessee than nationally?
Tennessee's median carpenter wage is about 16% below the national median of $29.12/hr, ranking 38th of 51 states.
Which Tennessee city pays carpenters the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, at a $26.81/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state.
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.