Carpenters

The complete guide for carpenters on the business side of the trade — what you charge, the license you need in your state, and the free tools to quote, invoice, and get paid. Carpenters earn a median of $60,580 a year, and whether you need a license depends on your state (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025).

Carpentry rates & licensing by state

Pick your state for real hourly-rate data (from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) and the license you need — all 50 states:

• Alabama — rates · licensing
• Alaska — rates · licensing
• Arizona — rates · licensing
• Arkansas — rates · licensing
• California — rates · licensing
• Colorado — rates · licensing
• Connecticut — rates · licensing
• Delaware — rates · licensing
• Florida — rates · licensing
• Georgia — rates · licensing
• Hawaii — rates · licensing
• Idaho — rates · licensing
• Illinois — rates · licensing
• Indiana — rates · licensing
• Iowa — rates · licensing
• Kansas — rates · licensing
• Kentucky — rates · licensing
• Louisiana — rates · licensing
• Maine — rates · licensing
• Maryland — rates · licensing
• Massachusetts — rates · licensing
• Michigan — rates · licensing
• Minnesota — rates · licensing
• Mississippi — rates · licensing
• Missouri — rates · licensing
• Montana — rates · licensing
• Nebraska — rates · licensing
• Nevada — rates · licensing
• New Hampshire — rates · licensing
• New Jersey — rates · licensing
• New Mexico — rates · licensing
• New York — rates · licensing
• North Carolina — rates · licensing
• North Dakota — rates · licensing
• Ohio — rates · licensing
• Oklahoma — rates · licensing
• Oregon — rates · licensing
• Pennsylvania — rates · licensing
• Rhode Island — rates · licensing
• South Carolina — rates · licensing
• South Dakota — rates · licensing
• Tennessee — rates · licensing
• Texas — rates · licensing
• Utah — rates · licensing
• Vermont — rates · licensing
• Virginia — rates · licensing
• Washington — rates · licensing
• West Virginia — rates · licensing
• Wisconsin — rates · licensing
• Wyoming — rates · licensing

Pay ranges widely by state — the national median is $29.12/hour, and the top 10% of carpenters earn over $48/hour ($99,000+ a year).

Common carpentry jobs & what they cost

Typical national price ranges for common carpentry jobs, covering labor plus materials. Local prices vary — use the state rate pages above for figures near you.

• 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

Do carpenters need a license?

It depends on your state. Some states require carpenters to hold a state license; others regulate the work locally, or not at all. License names and thresholds vary, so check your state above for the exact requirement before you bid work.

Free carpentry tools & templates

• Carpentry invoice template
• Carpentry estimate template
• Free invoice generator
• Estimate generator
• Profit-margin calculator

Invoice and get paid faster with BIG INVOICE

Carpenters don't invoice from a desk. BIG INVOICE lets you build a professional invoice on the job site and send a PDF before you've packed up — your client gets it in under a minute, and you get paid faster. No seat fees, no learning curve.

Estimates, clients, and reports in one app

Write an estimate, get approval, and convert it to an invoice in one tap. Track every client's history and see what you're owed at a glance. Your first 2 documents are free; Pro is $5.99/mo or $59.99/yr for unlimited.

Carpenter FAQ

How much do carpenters charge?

A small repair / punch-list job typically runs $100–$400, and bigger jobs like deck construction run $3,000–$10,000. Billed rates vary by state — see carpentry rates by state above.

How much do carpenters make?

The median carpenter earns $60,580 a year ($29.12/hour); the top 10% earn over $99,000 ($48/hour), per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). Pay varies widely by state.

Can a carpenter make $100,000 a year?

The top earners get close — the top 10% of carpenters earn around $99,000 a year, and six figures is realistic once you run your own business and bill at contractor rates instead of an hourly wage.

Is being a carpenter a good career?

Carpenters earn a median of $60,580 a year, with the top 10% earning $99,000. Demand for skilled trades is steady, and pay climbs as you gain experience, specialize, or start your own business — a solid path for people who'd rather work with their hands than sit at a desk.

Do carpenters need a license?

It depends on the state — some require a state license, others regulate carpentry work locally. Check your state's licensing page above for specifics.

How do you become a carpenter?

Most carpenters start with hands-on experience — often an apprenticeship or a trade-school program — then get licensed in the states that require it. How long it takes and what's required vary by state; see your state's licensing details above.

Is being a carpenter hard?

Carpenters work is physical and hands-on, and no two jobs are identical — so practical problem-solving and careful measuring matter more than advanced math. Most carpenters find the trade demanding but very learnable, and the pay and independence make it worth it.

How do carpenters invoice and get paid?

Most solo carpenters and small crews invoice on-site from their phone the moment the job is done. BIG INVOICE creates a professional PDF in under a minute, with your own payment details attached — no in-app fees, and your first 2 documents are free.

Related trades: electricians, plumbers, HVAC, and roofers.