Carpenter Salary in California

$37/hr

Discover California carpenter hourly rates, annual salaries, career levels, credentials, industries, and factors affecting earning potential.

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What Carpenter Earns in California

Carpenters construct, install, and repair structures and fixtures made from wood and comparable materials, including framing, concrete forms, stairs, doors, windows, flooring, and cabinets. California carpenters earn a statewide median of $36.50 per hour, with the 10th percentile at $22.83 and the 90th percentile at $57.67. These figures correspond to $47,490, $75,920, and $119,950 annually. The data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics latest wage estimates. Actual pay varies by experience, specialization, location, employer, union status, overtime, and project type. California also publishes separate prevailing wage determinations for qualifying public works, with rates varying by craft, classification, location, and project.

Hourly rates by level in California

Rates typically increase with experience, skills, and responsibility.

Apprentice · 0–2 yrs
$22.83–$28.72/hr
Journeyman · 4–8 yrs
$28.72–$46.07/hr
Master · 8+ yrs
$46.07–$57.67/hr

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Where do you stand?

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$/ hr

Use your base rate, not what you take home after overtime.

You're right around the middle

$28.00 is above roughly 46% of this market. The top quarter starts at $36.00, and the median sits at $29.00.

10th
$18
25th
$23
Median
$29
75th
$36
90th
$45
YOU · $28.00
Your percentile
46th
Among this market
Your annual · 40 hrs
$58,240
Before overtime and per diem
Gap to median
−$2,080
Below the median

Calculate pay with extra credentials

Pick your level, add certifications, select shift — the estimate updates live.

1Your level

2Certifications you hold

3Shift & work type

4Overtime & per diem

Weekly overtime hours8 hrs
Per diem (per day away)$0

An estimate, not an offer. Overtime is paid at time and a half past forty hours.

American RecruitsEstimate
Journeyman Carpenter
California · Day Shift
Base rate$37.39
+ California Registered Apprenticeship Completion$0.75
+ NCCER Carpentry Level 1$0.75
+ NCCER Carpentry Level 3$0.50
Effective hourly$39.39
Straight · 40 hrs$1,576
Overtime · 8 hrs @ 1.5×$473
Weekly gross$2,049
Annualised · 50 weeks
$102,427
8 OT hrs/week · California

Who pays the most in California

Specialized projects and public works can offer different earning opportunities.

01 / 06$36.50/hr

Commercial Construction

Commercial carpenters work on offices, retail properties, institutions, interiors, framing, fixtures, and larger building projects.

+ Larger projects
+ Specialized work
– Project deadlines
– Employer variation
02 / 06$36.50/hr

Residential Construction

Residential carpenters handle framing, remodeling, finish work, installations, repairs, and other housing-related construction.

+ Broad job market
+ Varied specialties
– Starting wages
– Seasonal demand
03 / 06$36.50/hr

Industrial Construction

Industrial carpenters may work on structural components, concrete forms, equipment supports, and specialized construction environments.

+ Specialized skills
+ Complex projects
– Demanding conditions
– Travel requirements
04 / 06$36.50/hr

Heavy Highway

Heavy and highway carpentry includes transportation infrastructure, bridges, concrete forms, and related public construction work.

+ Infrastructure projects
+ Specialized experience
– Outdoor conditions
– Travel requirements
05 / 06$36.50/hr

Institutional Construction

Institutional projects include schools, hospitals, public facilities, and other large structures requiring substantial construction and finish work.

+ Large projects
+ Stable sectors
– Strict schedules
– Site restrictions
06 / 06$36.50/hr

Public Works

California public works uses prevailing wage determinations that vary by county, construction category, carpenter classification, and applicable project schedule.

+ Prevailing wages
+ Benefit packages
– Project specific
– Classification requirements

Which states pay carpenters the most

Median hourly across every state with a published guide for this trade. Cost of living is not netted out — compare take-home, not just the rate.

  1. 01Hawaii$41/hr
  2. 02Illinois$37.98/hr
  3. 03Californiathis page$36.50/hr
  4. 04Massachusetts$36.16/hr
  5. 05Alaska$35.51/hr
  6. 06New York$34.77/hr
  7. 07Minnesota$31.22/hr
  8. 08Connecticut$30.80/hr
  9. 09New Jersey$30.77/hr
  10. 10Maryland$30.27/hr

What each certification is worth

Sorted by payback speed.

CertificationRate bumpExtra / yearCostPayback
NCCER Carpentry Level 2+$1$2,080$1905 weeks
Scaffold User/Competent Person (OSHA-aligned)+$1$2,080$2105 weeks
NCCER Carpentry Level 1+$0.75$1,560$1906 weeks
Fall Protection Competent Person (OSHA-aligned)+$0.75$1,560$1656 weeks
First Aid/CPR/AED+$0.25$520$707 weeks
OSHA 10-Hour Construction+$0.25$520$859 weeks
OSHA 30-Hour Construction+$0.50$1,040$1709 weeks

What overtime actually adds

Past forty hours the rate is time and a half. Built from the rate above. At $36.50/hr.

40 hr week
$1,460
No OT
50 hr week
$2,008
+$27,375/yr
60 hr week
$2,555
+$54,750/yr
70 hr week
$3,103
+$82,125/yr

Questions workers ask

Does California require carpenters to hold an individual trade license?▾
California contractor licensing applies to businesses and individuals acting as contractors, while employees working under a licensed contractor are not automatically required to hold a contractor license themselves.
What California contractor classification covers finish carpentry?▾
The CSLB C-6 classification covers cabinet, millwork, and finish carpentry, including cabinets, doors, trim, nonbearing partitions, and related finish work.
How much experience is required for a California contractor license?▾
The CSLB generally requires at least four years of qualifying experience in the classification to qualify for the contractor licensing examination. Qualifying experience must be at journey level or above.
Does completing an apprenticeship establish journey-level status?▾
California's apprenticeship system is designed to train workers toward state-recognized journeyworker qualifications, with registered programs combining on-the-job training and related instruction.
Are California public works carpenter rates the same statewide?▾
No. California prevailing wage determinations vary by geographic area, construction type, craft classification, and project circumstances, so the applicable determination must be checked for the specific project.
Are apprentices eligible for California prevailing wages?▾
Registered apprentices can receive apprentice prevailing wage rates when performing work in their specific craft or trade on qualifying public works projects. The apprentice must be registered with California's Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
Is OSHA 30 a California carpenter certification?▾
No. OSHA 30 is an Outreach Training course that results in a course completion card. OSHA specifically states that Outreach cards are not certifications or licenses.
Does California recognize different carpenter specialties?▾
Yes. California prevailing wage materials distinguish several carpenter-related classifications, including carpenter, drywall installer/lather, modular furniture installer, pile driver, and other specialized carpenter classifications.

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The data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 wage estimates.

Last updated October 1, 2026. Rates are market estimates, not guarantees.