Carpenter Salary in Maryland

$30/hr

Discover Maryland carpenter hourly rates, annual salaries, credentials, high-paying work, and factors affecting earning potential.

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What carpenters earn in Maryland

Carpenters in Maryland construct, install, repair, and finish frameworks, forms, doors, floors, fixtures, and other building components. Recent wage data shows Maryland carpenters earning $21.12–$45.66 per hour, with a $30.27 median hourly wage. That corresponds to approximately $43,930–$94,970 annually, with a median annual wage of $62,960. Pay varies by experience, location, employer, project type, and specialty. Maryland's metro areas also show meaningful differences, with median hourly wages ranging from $24.23 in Salisbury to $30.23 in Lexington Park. These figures come from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data.

Hourly rates by level in Maryland

Rates typically increase with experience, skills, and responsibility.

Apprentice · 0–2 yrs
$21.12–$25.11/hr
▲ 4.7% from last year
Journeyman · 4–8 yrs
$25.11–$36.93/hr
▲ 4.7% from last year
Master · 8+ yrs
$36.93–$45.66/hr
▲ 4.7% 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
Maryland · Day Shift
Base rate$31.02
+ EPA RRP Certified Renovator$0.75
+ NCCER Carpentry Level 1$0.75
+ OSHA 10-Hour Construction$0.25
Effective hourly$32.77
Straight · 40 hrs$1,311
Overtime · 8 hrs @ 1.5×$393
Weekly gross$1,704
Annualised · 50 weeks
$85,202
8 OT hrs/week · Maryland

Who pays the most in Maryland

Public, commercial, and specialty projects can offer higher carpenter rates.

01 / 06$30.66/hr

Nonresidential Building Construction

Large commercial and institutional projects often require structural framing, interior installation, and detailed finish work.

+ Larger project scopes
+ Specialized construction skills
– Strict site requirements
– Project deadlines
02 / 06$29.27/hr

Building Finishing Contractors

Carpenters in finishing work handle detailed installations, trim, doors, fixtures, and other final construction elements.

+ Specialized finish skills
+ Detail-focused work
– Precision requirements
– Physically demanding tasks
03 / 06$29.13/hr

Residential Building Construction

Residential carpenters work on new homes and housing projects, covering framing, installation, and other structural construction tasks.

+ Consistent residential projects
+ Broad carpentry experience
– Outdoor working conditions
– Project-based schedules
04 / 06$28.26/hr

Foundation, Structure & Exterior Contractors

This sector includes structural framing, exterior construction, and other work forming the core structure of buildings.

+ Structural carpentry experience
+ Large construction projects
– Heavy physical work
– Weather exposure
05 / 06$28.77/hr

Other Specialty Trade Contractors

Specialty contractors may employ carpenters for focused construction tasks requiring specific installation or trade skills.

+ Specialized project opportunities
+ Skill development
– Narrower job scope
– Varying project schedules
06 / 06$27.72/hr

Heavy & Civil Engineering Construction

Carpenters may support infrastructure projects through concrete forms, temporary structures, and specialized construction work.

+ Infrastructure experience
+ Specialized formwork skills
– Outdoor conditions
– Travel may be required

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. 10Marylandthis page$30.27/hr

What each certification is worth

Sorted by payback speed.

CertificationRate bumpExtra / yearCostPayback
NCCER Carpentry Level 2+$1$2,080$2005 weeks
NCCER Carpentry Level 1+$0.75$1,560$2007 weeks
Scaffold User/Competent Person (OSHA-aligned)+$1$2,080$2256 weeks
First Aid/CPR (OSHA-aligned)+$0.25$520$758 weeks
OSHA 10-Hour Construction+$0.25$520$909 weeks
OSHA 30-Hour Construction+$0.50$1,040$1809 weeks

What overtime actually adds

Past forty hours the rate is time and a half. Built from the rate above. At $30.27/hr.

40 hr week
$1,211
No OT
50 hr week
$1,665
+$22,702/yr
60 hr week
$2,119
+$45,405/yr
70 hr week
$2,573
+$68,108/yr

Questions workers ask

Does Maryland require individual carpenters to hold a state carpenter license?▾
Maryland's MHIC licensing system regulates home-improvement contractors rather than creating a general statewide individual carpenter license for employees.
When does lead-safety training matter for Maryland carpenters?▾
Renovation work involving regulated painted surfaces in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities can require certified firms, certified renovators, and lead-safe work practices.
Can Maryland carpenters enter the trade through apprenticeship?▾
Yes. Maryland registered apprenticeships combine employment, supervised on-the-job learning, related instruction, and progressive wage increases throughout the apprenticeship.
Do public construction jobs use different wage requirements in Maryland?▾
Covered state and political-subdivision construction contracts can use Maryland prevailing-wage determinations that establish applicable wages and fringe benefits for specific classifications
Can a carpenter become a home-improvement contractor in Maryland?▾
A person seeking an MHIC contractor license must meet requirements including examination, qualifying experience or related education, financial documentation, and other application requirements.

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Maryland's 2025 median was $30.27/hr versus $28.91/hr in 2024, producing +4.70%. The 2025 wage distribution confirms $21.12 low, $30.27 median, and $45.66 high.

Last updated September 28, 2026. Rates are market estimates, not guarantees.