Carpenter Salary in Massachusetts

$36/hr

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

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What Carpenters Earn in Massachusetts

Carpenters in Massachusetts construct, install, repair, and finish building frameworks, fixtures, concrete forms, flooring, doors, windows, and other structures. BLS wage data places Massachusetts carpenter pay at 59.08 per hour, or approximately 122,880 annually. The statewide median is $36.16 per hour, equivalent to $75,200 per year. The 25th percentile is $29.21 per hour, while the 75th percentile is $46.88. Pay varies by experience, location, specialty, employer, and project type. Median wages also vary across Massachusetts labor markets, including $36.16 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, $36.31 in Springfield, and $35.10 in Worcester.

Hourly rates by level in Massachusetts

Rates typically increase with experience, skills, and responsibility.

Apprentice · 0–2 yrs
$23.19–$29.21/hr
▲ 5.76% from last year
Journeyman · 4–8 yrs
$29.21–$46.88/hr
▲ 5.76% from last year
Master · 8+ yrs
$46.88–$59.08/hr
▲ 5.76% from last year

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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
Massachusetts · Day Shift
Base rate$38.05
+ OSHA 10-Hour Construction$0.25
+ OSHA 30-Hour Construction$0.50
+ NCCER Carpentry Level 2$1.00
Effective hourly$39.80
Straight · 40 hrs$1,592
Overtime · 8 hrs @ 1.5×$478
Weekly gross$2,069
Annualised · 50 weeks
$103,467
8 OT hrs/week · Massachusetts

Who pays the most in Massachusetts

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

01 / 06$30.66/hr

Nonresidential Building Construction

Commercial and institutional construction can give carpenters experience with larger structures and complex 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 detailed installation and interior finishing 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. 02Illinois$37.98/hr
  3. 03California$36.50/hr
  4. 04Massachusettsthis page$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 $36.16/hr.

40 hr week
$1,446
No OT
50 hr week
$1,989
+$27,120/yr
60 hr week
$2,531
+$54,240/yr
70 hr week
$3,074
+$81,360/yr

Questions workers ask

Does Massachusetts require carpenters to have a state license?▾
Massachusetts does not have a general statewide employee carpenter license, although contractors performing qualifying residential home-improvement work must meet applicable registration requirements.
What is a Massachusetts Deleader Worker License?▾
The Deleader Worker License applies to workers performing regulated deleading activities under Massachusetts lead and asbestos regulations and requires the applicable state training and licensing process.
Can carpenters perform lead-safe renovation work in Massachusetts?▾
Yes, but Massachusetts has specific training and licensing requirements depending on the renovation or deleading activity. Workers on renovation projects must receive the required training before performing covered work.
Does Massachusetts require a Home Improvement Contractor registration?▾
Contractors, subcontractors, partnerships, and corporations that perform covered contracting work on existing owner-occupied residential properties with one to four units must register as Home Improvement Contractors.
Does carpenter pay vary across Massachusetts?▾
Yes. latest BLS data shows median hourly wages ranging from $30.31 in Pittsfield to $36.31 in Springfield among the listed Massachusetts labor markets.

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CareerOneStop reports these 2025 Massachusetts wage figures for Carpenters, SOC 47-2031, using BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data.

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