Carpenter Salaries: Residential vs. Commercial Construction

Carpenters are among the most widely employed tradespeople in the United States — working on residential framing, commercial interiors, cabinetry, formwork, and industrial construction. The skill range is wide, and wages reflect it: finish carpenters and trim specialists earn significantly more than production framers.

Residential vs. Commercial

Residential carpenters typically earn less than commercial carpenters. Commercial work — office buildings, hospitals, industrial facilities — involves larger projects, union contracts in many markets, and more complex requirements that command higher wages. Browse wages in the Construction and Extraction Occupations group.

Union Carpenters

United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) members in major metro areas earn substantially above non-union carpenters in the same market. Illinois, New York, California, and Alaska show the highest carpenter wages nationally, all markets with strong union presence.

Specialization Pays

Finish carpenters, millworkers, and those specializing in high-end residential renovation earn premium wages relative to production framing crews. The skill ceiling for master finish carpenters is high — experienced specialists in luxury residential and commercial markets command the top end of the wage distribution.