Carpenter Salary in North Dakota

$26/hr

North Dakota carpenter salary information, career-level wage ranges, major-paying industries, licensing requirements, and practical FAQs.

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What Carpenters Earn in North Dakota

Carpenters construct, install, and repair structural frameworks, fixtures, and finished woodwork for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. In North Dakota, carpenters typically earn about $21.09 to $36.90 per hour, corresponding to approximately $43,860 to $76,760 annually. Earnings vary with experience, location, specialization, employer, and project type.

Hourly rates by level in North Dakota

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

Apprentice · 0–2 yrs
$23.47–$26.47/hr
▼ 0.85% from last year
Journeyman · 4–8 yrs
$26.47–$30.55/hr
▼ 0.85% from last year
Master · 8+ yrs
$30.55–$36.90/hr
▼ 0.85% 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
North Dakota · Day Shift
Base rate$28.51
+ OSHA 10-Hour Construction$0.25
+ OSHA 30-Hour Construction$0.50
+ Forklift Certification$0.50
Effective hourly$29.76
Straight · 40 hrs$1,190
Overtime · 8 hrs @ 1.5×$357
Weekly gross$1,548
Annualised · 50 weeks
$77,376
8 OT hrs/week · North Dakota

Who pays the most in North Dakota

The following are national carpenter-specific industry benchmarks because comparable state-specific industry wage figures are not consistently published. Actual North Dakota pay can differ by employer and project.

01 / 03$30.66/hr

Nonresidential Building Construction

Carpenters in nonresidential construction may work on larger commercial structures, complex framing, and fast-paced projects.

+ Larger commercial projects
+ Specialized structural work
– Strict site coordination
– Variable project schedules
02 / 03$30.09/hr

Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

This work can involve concrete forms, bridges, infrastructure, and other projects requiring precise layout and durable construction.

+ Infrastructure project variety
+ Specialized formwork
– Outdoor and weather exposure
– Travel between projects
03 / 03$29.27/hr

Building Finishing Contractors

Finish carpenters may handle detailed interior work, installations, and final construction tasks where accuracy and workmanship matter.

+ Detailed finish work
+ Residential and commercial opportunities
– Precision requirements
– Schedule pressure near completion

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-Hour Construction+$0.25$520$707 weeks
OSHA 30-Hour Construction+$0.50$1,040$1508 weeks
First Aid/CPR+$0.25$520$10511 weeks
Forklift Certification+$0.50$1,040$24513 weeks
Qualified Rigging & Signalperson+$0.50$1,040$36519 weeks

What overtime actually adds

Past forty hours the rate is time and a half. Built from the rate above. At $26.47/hr.

40 hr week
$1,059
No OT
50 hr week
$1,456
+$19,852/yr
60 hr week
$1,853
+$39,705/yr
70 hr week
$2,250
+$59,557/yr

Questions workers ask

Does North Dakota require a carpenter license?▾
North Dakota does not list a general employee carpenter license. However, a person engaged in construction as a contractor must be licensed when the job exceeds $4,000. Contractor licensing is separate from an employee’s trade credentials.
Are carpenter apprentices required to hold a license?▾
A general carpenter license is not required simply to work as an employee. Employers or projects may impose their own training, safety, or qualification requirements. Apprentices can gain skills through employer training, apprenticeship programs, or supervised job experience.
Can a carpenter work as an independent contractor?▾
Yes, but contractor licensing requirements apply when the construction job exceeds $4,000. North Dakota contractor applicants must meet state requirements, including experience and qualifications, liability insurance, and applicable Workforce Safety and Insurance documentation. The Secretary of State classifies contractor licenses by contract value, so the appropriate class depends on the project size.

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This guide uses the latest wage data for Carpenters, SOC 47-2031, along with North Dakota contractor requirements, registered apprenticeship information, state training programs, and construction safety credentials.

Last updated October 22, 2026. Rates are market estimates, not guarantees.