For those who find satisfaction in building, creating, and working with their hands, a career as a carpenter is a time-honored and rewarding path. After completing a rigorous apprenticeship, achieving journeyman status marks a significant milestone, opening the door to greater responsibility and higher earning potential. But what can a skilled journeyman carpenter expect to earn?
While salaries can vary widely, a journeyman carpenter in the United States can expect to earn a competitive wage, with a national average often falling between $55,000 and $75,000 per year. Top earners in high-demand areas can even push their income toward the six-figure mark. This article breaks down the data to give you a clear picture of a journeyman carpenter's salary and the key factors that drive it.
What Does a Journeyman Carpenter Do?
A journeyman carpenter is a fully qualified and skilled professional who has successfully completed a multi-year apprenticeship program. They are the backbone of the construction industry, responsible for a wide range of tasks that require precision, technical knowledge, and physical skill.
Their core responsibilities include:
- Reading and interpreting blueprints and construction drawings.
- Measuring, cutting, and shaping wood, plastic, fiberglass, and other materials.
- Constructing, erecting, installing, and repairing structures and fixtures, from building frameworks to installing cabinetry and trim.
- Following safety regulations and maintaining a safe work environment.
- Collaborating with other construction professionals, such as electricians, plumbers, and project managers.
Unlike an apprentice who is still learning the trade, a journeyman works independently, solves complex problems, and may be tasked with leading small crews.
Average Journeyman Carpenter Salary
Salary data for carpenters can vary based on the source and the specific group being analyzed. It's helpful to look at several authoritative sources to get a complete picture.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for all carpenters was $56,350 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,010, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $88,310.
It's important to note that the BLS data includes carpenters at all skill levels, including apprentices. Professional salary aggregators that allow users to specify "journeyman" status often report higher averages:
- Salary.com reports that the average journeyman carpenter salary in the U.S. is approximately $67,908, with a typical range falling between $58,589 and $78,575.
- Payscale places the average hourly wage for a journeyman carpenter at around $27.60, which translates to an annual salary of about $57,400, with top earners making over $41 per hour (or ~$85,000+ per year).
- Glassdoor calculates the average base pay for a journeyman carpenter at around $62,500 per year.
In summary: A newly minted journeyman might start closer to the BLS median, while an experienced journeyman with a strong skill set can comfortably earn in the $65,000 to $80,000+ range.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your paycheck as a journeyman carpenter is not a fixed number. Several key factors can significantly impact your earning potential. Understanding these variables can help you maximize your income throughout your career.
### Level of Education
While a four-year college degree is not required, your educational foundation matters. A high school diploma or GED is the standard entry point. The most critical "education" is a formal apprenticeship, which typically lasts 3-4 years and combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Completing a certified apprenticeship is the official path to becoming a journeyman and is essential for higher earnings. Additionally, completing a pre-apprenticeship certificate from a vocational or technical college can sometimes provide a higher starting wage.
### Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most significant drivers of salary in the skilled trades. As you gain more years on the job, your speed, efficiency, and problem-solving abilities increase, making you more valuable.
- Apprentice (0-4 years): Earns a percentage of a journeyman's wage, starting around 40-50% and increasing with each year of training.
- Journeyman (5-10 years): Has completed an apprenticeship and commands a full wage. This is where most carpenters see their salary grow steadily.
- Master Carpenter / Foreman (10+ years): With extensive experience, a journeyman can advance to a leadership role like a foreman or master carpenter, overseeing projects and crews, which comes with a significant pay increase.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters—a lot. Demand for construction and cost of living dramatically affect wages. According to the BLS, the top-paying states for carpenters are:
1. Hawaii ($85,760 average annual salary)
2. Illinois ($83,070)
3. New York ($81,040)
4. New Jersey ($77,590)
5. Alaska ($77,030)
Metropolitan areas with major construction projects and high costs of living, such as New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco, also offer much higher wages than rural areas or states with a lower cost of living.
### Company Type
The type of employer you work for plays a crucial role in your compensation package.
- Union vs. Non-Union: This is perhaps the biggest differentiator. Union carpenters generally earn higher hourly wages and receive comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, pensions, and annuity plans, all negotiated through collective bargaining agreements. Non-union shops may offer more flexible work but often have lower pay scales and fewer guaranteed benefits.
- General Contractor vs. Subcontractor: Working for a large commercial general contractor on major projects (skyscrapers, hospitals, infrastructure) often pays more than working for a smaller residential subcontractor focused on home renovations.
- Self-Employed: Becoming an independent contractor offers the highest potential earning ceiling, as you set your own rates. However, it also comes with the risks of managing a business, finding a consistent flow of work, and covering your own insurance, taxes, and retirement savings.
### Area of Specialization
All carpentry is skilled work, but certain specializations require a higher degree of precision and expertise, which can command premium pay.
- Finish Carpentry: Specialists in trim, molding, cabinetry, and fine woodworking are often among the highest-paid, as their work requires an artistic eye and meticulous attention to detail.
- Formwork / Concrete Forms Carpenter: This specialty involves building the molds that hold concrete as it sets for foundations and large structures. It is physically demanding but often pays very well, especially on commercial and industrial projects.
- Green Carpentry: As sustainable building practices grow, carpenters skilled in using reclaimed materials, advanced framing techniques, and energy-efficient installations are becoming more valuable.
Job Outlook
The future looks steady for skilled carpenters. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for carpenters will grow by 2 percent from 2022 to 2032. While this is slower than the average for all occupations, it should not be discouraging.
The BLS still projects about 71,800 openings for carpenters each year, on average, over the decade. Most of these openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who retire or transfer to different occupations. This means that well-trained, reliable, and skilled journeyman carpenters will continue to be in demand for new construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects.
Conclusion
A career as a journeyman carpenter offers a path to a stable, respectable, and rewarding middle-class life, with significant potential for growth. While the national average provides a good baseline, your ultimate salary will be in your hands.
The key takeaways are clear:
- Complete a formal apprenticeship to maximize your starting journeyman wage.
- Gain diverse experience and never stop learning new techniques.
- Consider specializing in a high-demand niche like finish carpentry or green building.
- Be strategic about your location and employer, as union status and regional demand are major factors.
For those willing to put in the work, the journey from apprentice to high-earning journeyman is a proven blueprint for a successful and fulfilling career.