Carpenter Salary in Virginia

$27/hr

Explore carpenter earnings, career-level wage ranges, major-paying industries, contractor licensing requirements, and practical career questions in Virginia.

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What Carpenters Earn in Virginia

Carpenters construct, install, and repair structural frameworks, fixtures, and finished woodwork for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. In Virginia, carpenters typically earn about $18.38 to $35.70 per hour, corresponding to approximately $38,230 to $74,250 annually. Earnings vary with experience, location, specialization, employer, and project type.

Hourly rates by level in Virginia

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

Apprentice · 0–2 yrs
$22.34–$22.34/hr
▲ 10.85% from last year
Journeyman · 4–8 yrs
$29.49–$29.49/hr
▲ 10.85% from last year
Master · 8+ yrs
$35.70–$35.70/hr
▲ 10.85% 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
Virginia · Day Shift
Base rate$29.49
+ Forklift Operator$0.50
+ Basic Rigger Level 1 & Signal$0.50
+ OSHA 30-Hour Construction$0.50
Effective hourly$30.99
Straight · 40 hrs$1,240
Overtime · 8 hrs @ 1.5×$372
Weekly gross$1,611
Annualised · 50 weeks
$80,574
8 OT hrs/week · Virginia

Who pays the most in Virginia

The following are national carpenter-specific industry benchmarks because comparable state-specific industry figures are not consistently available. Actual Virginia pay varies by employer, project, and location.

01 / 03$30.66/hr

Nonresidential Building Construction

Carpenters may work on commercial buildings, institutional facilities, structural framing, and large construction projects.

+ Larger project environments
+ Specialized structural work
– Strict site coordination
– Project deadline pressure
02 / 03$30.09/hr

Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Carpenters can build concrete forms and support infrastructure projects involving bridges, highways, and other civil works.

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

Building Finishing Contractors

Finish carpenters handle trim, interior installations, and detailed work requiring accuracy and consistent workmanship.

+ Detailed finish work
+ Specialization opportunities
– Precision requirements
– Tight completion 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. 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
Forklift Operator+$0.50$1,040$955 weeks
Basic Rigger Level 1 & Signal+$0.50$1,040$1759 weeks
First Aid/CPR/AED+$0.25$520$12012 weeks
OSHA 30-Hour Construction+$0.50$1,040$65033 weeks
OSHA 10-Hour Construction+$0.25$520$35536 weeks

What overtime actually adds

Past forty hours the rate is time and a half. Built from the rate above. At $26.77/hr.

40 hr week
$1,071
No OT
50 hr week
$1,472
+$20,077/yr
60 hr week
$1,874
+$40,155/yr
70 hr week
$2,275
+$60,232/yr

Questions workers ask

Does Virginia require a carpenter license?▾
Virginia does not have a specific statewide carpenter tradesman license. However, contractor businesses performing construction, repairs, or improvements for others may need a license through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Requirements depend on the work and contract value. (Virginia DPOR)
When does a carpenter need a contractor license?▾
Virginia generally requires contractor licensing for covered projects valued at $1,000 or more. Class A, B, and C licenses have different contract-value limits, and the appropriate work classification also matters. Verify the applicable requirements with DPOR before bidding or contracting.
Can carpenters work independently without certification?▾
Carpenters may work as employees without a general carpenter certification. Independent contractors must check applicable licensing, business, insurance, and local requirements. Additional qualifications may be required for specialized work, and a contractor license is distinct from an employee's trade credential. (Virginia Code)

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Wage figures use the latest CareerOneStop/BLS data for Carpenters (SOC 47-2031), with annual figures based on 2,080 hours.

Last updated October 29, 2026. Rates are market estimates, not guarantees.