Quick answer: Carpenters in West Virginia typically bill $50–$70 per hour (2025). The median carpenter earns $23.42/hr ($48,710/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 West Virginia compares to other states.
Carpenter income in West Virginia (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for West Virginia's ~3,670 carpenters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.26 | ~$2,992 | ~$35,901 |
| Median (typical) | $23.42 | ~$4,059 | $48,710 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $33.69 | ~$5,840 | ~$70,075 |
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) | ~$23/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $50–$70/hr |
Where West Virginia ranks
West Virginia pays carpenters 20% below the national median, ranking 46th of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Hawaii | $41.00 |
| West Virginia (46th) | $23.42 |
| National median | $29.12 |
| Lowest — Oklahoma | $22.55 |
Carpenter rates by West Virginia metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median carpenter wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $25.00/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $24.10/hr | $55–$70/hr |
| Morgantown | $23.64/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Charleston | $23.59/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Beckley | $23.08/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | $22.64/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $21.39/hr | $45–$65/hr |
What common carpentry jobs cost in West Virginia
At West Virginia billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical West Virginia range |
|---|---|
| Small repair / punch-list job | $75–$325 |
| Interior door installation | $125–$400 + door |
| Custom shelving / built-ins | $400–$2,000 |
| Crown molding installation | $300–$1,200 |
| Deck construction | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Framing (per project) | $800–$4,000 |
| Stair repair / build | $400–$2,000 |
| Cabinet installation | $300–$1,200 + cabinets |
| Window trim / casing | $150–$650 |
| Subfloor repair | $250–$975 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How carpenters compare to other trades in West Virginia
Here's how carpenter pay lines up against West Virginia's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $31.16/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Plumber | $27.39/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Roofer | $24.60/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| HVAC technician | $23.49/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Carpenter | $23.42/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 West Virginia?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See West Virginia contractor & trade licensing to check whether carpenters need a state license in West Virginia, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters charge per hour in West Virginia?
In 2025, most West Virginia carpenters bill $50–$70 per hour. That rate covers the worker's wage (a $23/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average carpenter salary in West Virginia?
The median carpenter in West Virginia earns about $48,710 a year ($23.42/hr). Entry-level carpenters earn around $36,000 and the most experienced earn $70,000 or more.
Do carpenters earn more in West Virginia than nationally?
West Virginia's median carpenter wage is about 20% below the national median of $29.12/hr, ranking 46th of 51 states.
Which West Virginia city pays carpenters the most?
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, at a $25.00/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.