Carpenter Salary in District of Columbia

$30/hr

Discover D.C. carpenter hourly rates, annual salaries, certifications, and factors affecting earning potential.

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What carpenters earn in District of Columbia

Carpenters in the District of Columbia build, install, repair, and finish structures across residential, commercial, and public construction projects. Latest BLS data puts D.C. carpenter wages at $23.00–$38.81 per hour, or approximately $47,840–$80,720 annually from the 10th to 90th percentile. The median carpenter earns $29.67 per hour, equivalent to $61,710 annually. D.C. wages are influenced by experience, project type, employer, and whether work falls under prevailing-wage requirements. Federal construction projects can carry substantially different compensation because prevailing-wage rules may apply.

Hourly rates by level in District of Columbia

Rates typically increase with experience, skills, and responsibility.

Apprentice · 0–2 yrs
$23–$28.27/hr
▲ 6.64% from last year
Journeyman · 4–8 yrs
$28.27–$33.54/hr
▲ 6.64% from last year
Master · 8+ yrs
$33.54–$38.81/hr
▲ 6.64% from last year

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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
District of Columbia · Day Shift
Base rate$30.91
+ OSHA 10$0.25
+ OSHA 30$0.50
+ NCCER Carpentry Level 2$1.00
Effective hourly$32.66
Straight · 40 hrs$1,306
Overtime · 8 hrs @ 1.5×$392
Weekly gross$1,698
Annualised · 50 weeks
$84,903
8 OT hrs/week · District of Columbia

Who pays the most in District of Columbia

Commercial, federal, and specialty projects lead D.C. wages.

01 / 06$38/hr

Federal & Public Works

Federal construction and public projects can operate under prevailing-wage requirements with higher compensation structures.

+ Prevailing-wage opportunities
+ Large project budgets
– Strict compliance
– Project-specific requirements
02 / 06$36/hr

Commercial Construction

Office buildings, retail developments, hotels, and major commercial projects create opportunities for experienced carpenters.

+ Large projects
+ Specialized work
– Tight deadlines
– High production demands
03 / 06$35/hr

Institutional Construction

Hospitals, schools, universities, and government facilities require skilled carpentry across new builds and renovations.

+ Major projects
+ Long project cycles
– Detailed specifications
04 / 06$34/hr

Historic Restoration

D.C.'s historic properties create demand for carpenters skilled in restoration, preservation, trim, and traditional construction methods.

+ Specialty expertise
+ Craft-focused work
– Precision requirements
05 / 06$32/hr

Residential Remodeling

Renovations, additions, interior improvements, and property upgrades provide steady opportunities across the District.

+ Variety of projects
+ Local demand
– Smaller crews
– Variable schedules
06 / 06$31/hr

Finish Carpentry

rim, doors, cabinets, stairs, and detailed interior installations reward precision and advanced craftsmanship.

+ Skilled work
+ Specialty opportunities
– Strict quality standards
– Fewer entry roles

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. 03California$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
OSHA 10+$0.25$520$602 weeks
OSHA 30+$0.50$1,040$1508 weeks
NCCER Carpentry Level 1+$0.75$1,560$1208 weeks
NCCER Carpentry Level 2+$1$2,080$12010 weeks
Flagger Certification+$0.75$1,560$502 weeks
CPR / First Aid / AED+$0.50$1,040$754 weeks

What overtime actually adds

Past forty hours the rate is time and a half. Built from the rate above. At $29.67/hr.

40 hr week
$1,187
No OT
50 hr week
$1,632
+$22,253/yr
60 hr week
$2,077
+$44,505/yr
70 hr week
$2,522
+$66,758/yr

Questions workers ask

Do carpenters need a specific carpenter license in D.C.?▾
D.C. does not generally require individual carpenters to hold a separate carpenter license, although contractors and businesses may have licensing requirements.
Can apprentices earn while training?▾
Yes. D.C. apprenticeship programs typically combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing apprentices to develop practical skills while earning wages.
Are federal construction jobs different from private jobs?▾
They can be. Qualifying federal construction projects may follow Davis-Bacon prevailing-wage requirements, which can establish specific wage and fringe benefit rates.
Does D.C. recognize NCCER carpentry credentials?▾
Yes. D.C. career and technical education programs recognize NCCER Carpentry Levels 1 and 2 as industry credentials for students pursuing construction careers.
What training can help someone enter carpentry in D.C.?▾
Apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship programs, OSHA safety training, and recognized carpentry credentials can help new workers develop skills and qualify for construction opportunities.

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Last updated September 23, 2026. Rates are market estimates, not guarantees.