Carpenters Salary in California (2024)
The median carpenters salary in California is $74,820/year, based on May 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). That is 26.2% above the national median of $59,310.
Wage table
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual mean | $77,680 |
| Annual median | $74,820 |
| 10th percentile | $47,170 |
| 25th percentile | $57,900 |
| 75th percentile | $95,360 |
| 90th percentile | $119,190 |
| Hourly median | $35.97/hr |
| Employment (state) | 106,500 |
What the numbers mean
The gap between the 10th and 90th percentile is wide: the highest-paid 10% of carpenters in California earn about 2.5× what the lowest-paid 10% earn. That spread usually reflects differences in experience, employer type, and local cost of living within the state — the median is a more representative figure than the mean for a "typical" salary, since a small number of very high earners can pull the mean upward.
Higher-paying states for Carpenters
See the full Carpenters salary by state ranking for all 54 states with available data.
Other occupations in California
Median annual salary for other tracked occupations in California, May 2024 OEWS.
- Software Developers: $170,910
- Registered Nurses: $140,330
- General and Operations Managers: $125,240
- Dental Hygienists: $121,080
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: $115,400
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: $98,190
- Accountants and Auditors: $96,360
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: $77,170
- Electricians: $76,540
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: $68,390
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: $65,290
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: $63,370
- Construction Laborers: $60,540
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: $59,950
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: $57,940
- Medical Assistants: $48,050
- Nursing Assistants: $46,420
Frequently asked questions
Is carpenters pay in California above the national average?
The median carpenters salary in California is $74,820/year, which is 26.2% above the national median of $59,310/year (May 2024 BLS OEWS data).
What is the median carpenters salary in California?
$74,820/year, based on May 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters in California earn?
The 90th percentile carpenters in California earns $119,190/year or more, compared to $47,170/year or less for the 10th percentile.
Which states pay carpenters more than California?
Illinois pays more ($76,410/year median), along with 1 other state listed below.