Carpenter Salary in West Virginia

$23/hr

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

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What Carpenters Earn in West Virginia

Carpenters in West Virginia construct, install, repair, and finish wood structures, frameworks, fixtures, and related building components. Current BLS data puts West Virginia carpenter wages at $17.26–$33.69 per hour, or approximately $35,900–$70,060 annually. The median is $23.42 per hour, equivalent to $48,710 per year. The 25th percentile is $18.36 per hour, while the 75th percentile is $28.94. Pay varies by experience, location, specialty, employer, and project type. For example, median wages range from $21.19 in Northern West Virginia to $28.00 in the Weirton-Steubenville area. These figures come from the U.S. Department of Labor's OEWS estimates.

Hourly rates by level in West Virginia

Rates typically increase with experience, skills, and responsibility.

Apprentice · 0–2 yrs
$17.26–$18.36/hr
▲ 2.95% from last year
Journeyman · 4–8 yrs
$18.36–$28.94/hr
▲ 2.95% from last year
Master · 8+ yrs
$28.94–$33.69/hr
▲ 2.95% 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
West Virginia · Day Shift
Base rate$23.65
+ West Virginia Lead Abatement Worker License$0.75
+ West Virginia Lead Abatement Supervisor License$2.00
+ NCCER Carpentry Level 2$1.00
Effective hourly$27.40
Straight · 40 hrs$1,096
Overtime · 8 hrs @ 1.5×$329
Weekly gross$1,425
Annualised · 50 weeks
$71,240
8 OT hrs/week · West Virginia

Who pays the most in West Virginia

Higher-paying carpenter work is often tied to larger projects and specialized construction settings.

01 / 06$30.66/hr

Nonresidential Building Construction

Larger commercial projects can provide experience with complex framing and demanding schedules.

+ Larger commercial and institutional projects
+ More opportunities for specialized construction work
– Project deadlines can create longer or irregular schedules
– Work may involve larger crews and stricter site requirements
02 / 06$30.09/hr

Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Carpenters may work on infrastructure projects involving highways, bridges, and other major engineering work.

+ Large-scale infrastructure projects
+ Opportunities to work with concrete forms and structural components
– Outdoor work can expose workers to changing weather
– Projects may require travel or changing work locations
03 / 06$29.27/hr

Building Finishing Contractors

Finish-focused contractors provide opportunities for carpenters with strong installation and detail-oriented skills.

+ Finish carpentry can build specialized skills
+ Work can include detailed interior installation
– Precision requirements can be demanding
– Project schedules may vary with construction progress
04 / 06$29.13/hr

Residential Building Construction

Residential construction offers steady opportunities across new home construction and related building projects.

+ Broad range of framing and installation work
+ Opportunities to develop residential construction skills
– Outdoor conditions can affect schedules
– Work can involve physically demanding lifting and repetitive tasks
05 / 06$28.83/hr

Specialty Trade Contractors

Specialty contractors provide focused carpentry opportunities across construction, remodeling, installation, and repair projects.

+ Specialized skills can support advancement
+ Projects can provide varied hands-on experience
– Work is often performed directly at construction sites
– Schedules can change based on project demands
06 / 06$26.26/hr

Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing

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

+ More controlled indoor work environment
+ Repeated production can strengthen precision skills
– Work can be more repetitive than construction
– Production schedules may involve strict output requirements

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
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 $23.42/hr.

40 hr week
$937
No OT
50 hr week
$1,288
+$17,565/yr
60 hr week
$1,639
+$35,130/yr
70 hr week
$1,991
+$52,695/yr

Questions workers ask

Do carpenters need a state license in West Virginia?▾
West Virginia does not require every employee carpenter to hold a separate carpenter trade license, but qualifying construction contractors and independent contractors must meet state contractor licensing requirements.
What type of contractor license covers carpentry work in West Virginia?▾
West Virginia contractor licensing includes classifications such as general building, residential building, and specialty contracting, depending on the work performed and business structure.
Can a West Virginia carpenter work on lead-based paint projects?▾
Lead-related work can require specific state licensing and training when it falls under regulated lead abatement activities, with separate requirements for workers and supervisors.
Are NCCER carpentry credentials recognized in West Virginia?▾
NCCER offers standardized Carpentry Level 1 and Level 2 credentials that document construction skills and training, although employers determine how credentials affect hiring or pay.
Does location affect carpenter pay in West Virginia?▾
Yes. current data shows substantial wage differences across West Virginia labor markets, with median carpenter wages varying by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area.

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Current May 2025 BLS data puts West Virginia carpenter wages at $17.26–$33.69 per hour, or approximately $35,900–$70,060 annually.

Last updated October 1, 2026. Rates are market estimates, not guarantees.