Carpenter Salary in Wisconsin

$30/hr

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

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What Carpenters Earn in Wisconsin

Carpenters in Wisconsin construct, install, repair, and finish building frameworks, fixtures, concrete forms, flooring, doors, windows, and other structures. BLS wage data places Wisconsin carpenter pay at 44.73 per hour, or approximately 93,040 annually. The statewide median is $29.65 per hour, equivalent to $61,660 per year. The 25th percentile is $23.92 per hour, while the 75th percentile is $38.13. Pay varies by experience, location, specialty, employer, and project type. Median wages also vary across Wisconsin labor markets, including $30.04 in Appleton, $29.10 in the Duluth-WI area, and $24.03 in Wausau.

Hourly rates by level in Wisconsin

Rates typically increase with experience, skills, and responsibility.

Apprentice · 0–2 yrs
$21.69–$23.92/hr
▲ 2.1% from last year
Journeyman · 4–8 yrs
$23.92–$38.13/hr
▲ 2.1% from last year
Master · 8+ yrs
$38.13–$44.73/hr
▲ 2.1% 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
Wisconsin · Day Shift
Base rate$31.03
+ OSHA 10-Hour Construction$0.25
+ OSHA 30-Hour Construction$0.50
+ NCCER Carpentry Level 2$1.00
Effective hourly$32.78
Straight · 40 hrs$1,311
Overtime · 8 hrs @ 1.5×$393
Weekly gross$1,704
Annualised · 50 weeks
$85,215
8 OT hrs/week · Wisconsin

Who pays the most in Wisconsin

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. 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+$1$2,080$2105 weeks
NCCER Carpentry Level 1+$0.75$1,560$1906 weeks
Fall Protection Competent Person+$0.75$1,560$1656 weeks
First Aid/CPR/AED+$0.25$520$707 weeks
OSHA 10 Construction+$0.25$520$859 weeks
OSHA 30 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 $29.65/hr.

40 hr week
$1,186
No OT
50 hr week
$1,631
+$22,238/yr
60 hr week
$2,076
+$44,475/yr
70 hr week
$2,520
+$66,713/yr

Questions workers ask

Does Wisconsin require carpenters to have a state license?▾
Wisconsin does not have a general employee carpenter license, but specific contractor credentials apply to businesses and individuals responsible for qualifying one- and two-family dwelling construction.
Does Wisconsin require a contractor credential for residential construction?▾
Yes. A person obtaining a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling generally must hold a Dwelling Contractor certification or Restricted certification and meet the applicable qualifier requirement.
What lead certification can a Wisconsin carpenter obtain?▾
Wisconsin offers Lead-Safe Renovator, Lead Abatement Worker, and Lead Abatement Supervisor certifications for individuals performing covered lead-related work.
Does Wisconsin require lead certification for renovation work?▾
Yes. Wisconsin's Lead-Safe Renovation Rule applies to covered renovation, repair, and painting work in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities, with certification requirements for regulated activities.
Does carpenter pay vary across Wisconsin?▾
Yes. BLS data shows median carpenter wages ranging from $24.03 per hour in Wausau to $30.04 in Appleton among the listed Wisconsin labor markets.

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These are Wisconsin statewide 2025 wage figures for Carpenters, SOC 47-2031. CareerOneStop reports $45,110 as the low annual wage, $61,660 as the median, and $93,040 as the high annual wage. Pay can vary considerably by location. For example, the 2025 median was $30.52 per hour in the Madison area, $30.73 in Milwaukee-Waukesha, $30.04 in Appleton, and $40.59 in Oshkosh-Neenah.

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