Carpenter Salary in Illinois

$38/hr

This guide covers carpenter pay in Illinois, wage levels, credentials, higher-paying industries, and key career considerations.

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What carpenters earn in Illinois

Carpenters in Illinois construct, install, repair, and finish building frameworks, fixtures, concrete forms, stairways, flooring, and other structures. Latest BLS wage data places Illinois carpenter pay at 19.18–56.57 per hour, or approximately 39,890–117,660 annually. The statewide median is $37.98 per hour, equivalent to $79,000 per year. The 25th percentile is $27.00 per hour, while the 75th percentile is $51.42. Pay varies by location, experience, specialty, employer, and project type. For example, the median is $38.68 in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area, $41.93 in Decatur, and $34.99 in Rockford.

Hourly rates by level in Illinois

What each rung of the trade is paid, before overtime and per diem.

Apprentice · 0–2 yrs
$19.18–$27/hr
▲ 3.41% from last year
Journeyman · 4–8 yrs
$27–$51.42/hr
▲ 3.41% from last year
Master · 8+ yrs
$51.42–$56.57/hr
▲ 3.41% 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
Illinois · Day Shift
Base rate$39.21
+ NCCER Carpentry Level 2$1.00
+ NCCER Carpentry Level 1$0.75
+ Fall Protection Competent Person (OSHA-aligned)$0.75
Effective hourly$41.71
Straight · 40 hrs$1,668
Overtime · 8 hrs @ 1.5×$501
Weekly gross$2,169
Annualised · 50 weeks
$108,446
8 OT hrs/week · Illinois

Who pays the most in Illinois

Higher-paying carpenter work can involve larger construction projects and specialized skills.

01 / 06$30.66/hr

Nonresidential Building Construction

Commercial and institutional construction can give carpenters experience with larger structures, complex framing, and demanding project schedules.

+ Larger commercial projects
+ Specialized structural work
– Tight project deadlines
– Strict site requirements
02 / 06$30.09/hr

Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Infrastructure work can involve structural carpentry, concrete forms, bridges, highways, and other major engineering projects.

+ Large infrastructure projects
+ Structural and formwork experience
– Outdoor working conditions
– Travel between project sites
03 / 06$29.27/hr

Building Finishing Contractors

Finish contractors provide opportunities for carpenters with strong installation, trim, and detail-oriented construction skills.

+ Specialized finish skills
+ Detailed interior work
– High precision requirements
– Schedule depends on other trades
04 / 06$29.13/hr

Residential Building Construction

Residential construction includes new homes, additions, remodeling, framing, and other building projects.

+ Broad residential experience
+ Multiple carpentry specialties
– Weather can affect schedules
– Physically demanding work
05 / 06$28.83/hr

Specialty Trade Contractors

Specialty contractors provide focused opportunities across construction, remodeling, installation, repair, and related trade work.

+ Specialized skill development
+ Varied project experience
– Active construction-site work
– Changing project schedules
06 / 06$26.26/hr

Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing

Manufacturing can suit carpenters who prefer controlled shop environments and detailed wood-product production.

+ Controlled indoor environment
+ Precision-focused work
– Repetitive production tasks
– Strict output schedules

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. 02Illinoisthis page$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
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 (OSHA-aligned)+$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 $37.98/hr.

40 hr week
$1,519
No OT
50 hr week
$2,089
+$28,485/yr
60 hr week
$2,659
+$56,970/yr
70 hr week
$3,228
+$85,455/yr

Questions workers ask

Does Illinois require carpenters to have a state license?▾
Illinois does not have a single statewide carpenter trade license for ordinary employee carpenters. Licensing requirements can depend on the type of contracting work and applicable state or local regulations.
Does Illinois license lead abatement workers?▾
Yes. The Illinois Department of Public Health licenses individuals performing regulated lead abatement work, including separate licensing for lead abatement workers and supervisors.
Is carpentry available through formal apprenticeships in Illinois?▾
Yes. Illinois identifies carpentry as a skilled construction occupation with apprenticeship programs that combine classroom instruction with supervised on-the-job training.
Does carpenter pay vary across Illinois?▾
Yes. latest BLS data shows substantial differences among Illinois labor markets, including median wages of $38.68 in Chicago, $41.93 in Decatur, and $34.99 in Rockford.
What factors can affect an Illinois carpenter's earnings?▾
Experience, location, specialization, employer, project type, union or nonunion employment, and the complexity of construction work can all affect individual carpenter earnings.

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CareerOneStop reports Illinois 2025 carpenter wages for Carpenters, SOC 47-2031, at these low, median, and high hourly levels.

Last updated October 5, 2026. Rates are market estimates, not guarantees.