47 Series · SOC 47-3012
Helpers--Carpenters Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $43,780
- Median / year
- $57,670
- Top 10% earn
- +4.5%
- Growth '23–'33
- 21,680
- US workers
Helpers--Carpenters earn a median of $43,780 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $43,780, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $31,660 (10th percentile) to $57,670 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 21,680 US workers. New Hampshire pays the most ($58,090), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Helpers--Carpenters earn a median of $43,780, putting them among the lower-paid US occupations and higher than 18% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Construction and Extraction, it ranks #56 of 60 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 4.5% by 2033.
- $43,780
- Median annual wage
- Top 82%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #56 of 60
- in Construction and Extraction
- 1.8×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: New Hampshire at $58,090. Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Helpers--Carpenters (SOC 47-3012) pays a national median of $43,780 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $31,660 at the 10th percentile to $57,670 at the 90th, with a mean of $44,050 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 21,680 Americans work in this occupation across 48 reporting states and 111 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +4.5% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as about average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 2,700 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is No formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 12.4 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.5 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. New Hampshire pays the highest state median at $58,090, which is +33% above the national figure. The top metro is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA at $64,810 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
Median Salary
$43,780
per year
Median Hourly
$21.05/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$44,050
average
Employment
21,680
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Helpers--Carpenters pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$43,780 Bottom 18% higher than 18% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 47-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Helpers--Carpenters; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 25 47-series occupations with growth data, Helpers--Carpenters sits on the slower-growing side at +4.5% growth and $43,780 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+4.5%
About average
Annual Openings
2,700
per year (projected)
Typical Education
No formal educational credential
On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
12.4/100K
Injury Rate
3.5/100
Danger Index
20.2/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Helpers--Carpenters roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Clean work areas, machines, or equipment, to maintain a clean and safe job site.
- ▸ Fasten timbers or lumber with glue, screws, pegs, or nails and install hardware.
- ▸ Perform tie spacing layout and measure, mark, drill or cut.
- ▸ Select tools, equipment, or materials from storage and transport items to work site.
- ▸ Drill holes in timbers or lumber.
- ▸ Cut timbers, lumber, or paneling to specified dimensions.
- ▸ Position and hold timbers, lumber, or paneling in place for fastening or cutting.
- ▸ Align, straighten, plumb, or square forms for installation.
- ▸ Hold plumb bobs, sighting rods, or other equipment to aid in establishing reference points and lines.
- ▸ Erect scaffolding, shoring, or braces.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$31,660
25th Percentile
$36,730
Median
$43,780
75th Percentile
$49,400
90th Percentile
$57,670
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 48 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $58,090 | +33% above national |
| 2 | Colorado | $50,900 | +16% above national |
| 3 | Connecticut | $50,460 | +15% above national |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $50,300 | +15% above national |
| 5 | Maine | $50,100 | +14% above national |
| 6 | California | $49,890 | +14% above national |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $48,130 | +10% above national |
| 8 | New York | $47,740 | +9% above national |
| 9 | Arkansas | $46,800 | +7% above national |
| 10 | Washington | $46,060 | +5% above national |
| 11 | Illinois | $45,660 | +4% above national |
| 12 | Michigan | $44,960 | +3% above national |
| 13 | Ohio | $44,760 | +2% above national |
| 14 | Hawaii | $44,550 | +2% above national |
| 15 | Vermont | $44,550 | +2% above national |
| 16 | New Jersey | $44,040 | +1% above national |
| 17 | Texas | $43,950 | same as national |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $43,880 | same as national |
| 19 | Virginia | $43,730 | same as national |
| 20 | Oregon | $43,260 | 1% below national |
| 21 | Indiana | $42,940 | 2% below national |
| 22 | Montana | $42,670 | 3% below national |
| 23 | Idaho | $41,820 | 4% below national |
| 24 | Arizona | $41,540 | 5% below national |
| 25 | Louisiana | $40,900 | 7% below national |
| 26 | North Carolina | $40,540 | 7% below national |
| 27 | Florida | $40,220 | 8% below national |
| 28 | Georgia | $40,160 | 8% below national |
| 29 | Iowa | $39,830 | 9% below national |
| 30 | Tennessee | $39,790 | 9% below national |
| 31 | Nebraska | $39,670 | 9% below national |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $39,480 | 10% below national |
| 33 | Maryland | $39,470 | 10% below national |
| 34 | Alaska | $39,210 | 10% below national |
| 35 | Alabama | $38,930 | 11% below national |
| 36 | Kansas | $38,130 | 13% below national |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $38,080 | 13% below national |
| 38 | New Mexico | $37,100 | 15% below national |
| 39 | Nevada | $36,230 | 17% below national |
| 40 | South Carolina | $36,090 | 18% below national |
| 41 | Utah | $35,820 | 18% below national |
| 42 | Kentucky | $35,520 | 19% below national |
| 43 | Mississippi | $35,360 | 19% below national |
| 44 | South Dakota | $34,700 | 21% below national |
| 45 | Delaware | $33,920 | 23% below national |
| 46 | West Virginia | $33,760 | 23% below national |
| 47 | Missouri | $32,420 | 26% below national |
| 48 | Puerto Rico | $24,530 | 44% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 111 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $64,810 | +48% above national |
| 2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $62,370 | +42% above national |
| 3 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $59,090 | +35% above national |
| 4 | New Haven, CT | $52,760 | +21% above national |
| 5 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $52,760 | +21% above national |
| 6 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $51,200 | +17% above national |
| 7 | Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $50,600 | +16% above national |
| 8 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $50,590 | +16% above national |
| 9 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $50,540 | +15% above national |
| 10 | Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $50,400 | +15% above national |
| 11 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $50,290 | +15% above national |
| 12 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $49,800 | +14% above national |
| 13 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $49,680 | +13% above national |
| 14 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $48,850 | +12% above national |
| 15 | West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $48,610 | +11% above national |
| 16 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $48,530 | +11% above national |
| 17 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $48,520 | +11% above national |
| 18 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $48,250 | +10% above national |
| 19 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $48,250 | +10% above national |
| 20 | Baton Rouge, LA | $47,830 | +9% above national |
| 21 | Reno, NV | $47,430 | +8% above national |
| 22 | Charlottesville, VA | $47,320 | +8% above national |
| 23 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $46,940 | +7% above national |
| 24 | Knoxville, TN | $46,670 | +7% above national |
| 25 | Lake Charles, LA | $46,510 | +6% above national |
| 26 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $46,220 | +6% above national |
| 27 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $46,060 | +5% above national |
| 28 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,710 | +4% above national |
| 29 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $45,690 | +4% above national |
| 30 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $45,650 | +4% above national |
| 31 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $45,360 | +4% above national |
| 32 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $45,040 | +3% above national |
| 33 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $44,830 | +2% above national |
| 34 | Boise City, ID | $44,820 | +2% above national |
| 35 | Cleveland, OH | $44,760 | +2% above national |
| 36 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $44,710 | +2% above national |
| 37 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $44,710 | +2% above national |
| 38 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $44,630 | +2% above national |
| 39 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $44,600 | +2% above national |
| 40 | Worcester, MA | $44,470 | +2% above national |
| 41 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $44,460 | +2% above national |
| 42 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $44,380 | +1% above national |
| 43 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $44,300 | +1% above national |
| 44 | Birmingham, AL | $44,120 | +1% above national |
| 45 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,080 | +1% above national |
| 46 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $44,060 | +1% above national |
| 47 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $43,860 | same as national |
| 48 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $43,860 | same as national |
| 49 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $43,760 | same as national |
| 50 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $43,740 | same as national |
| 51 | Winchester, VA-WV | $43,490 | 1% below national |
| 52 | Roanoke, VA | $43,330 | 1% below national |
| 53 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,150 | 1% below national |
| 54 | Naples-Marco Island, FL | $42,850 | 2% below national |
| 55 | Richmond, VA | $42,660 | 3% below national |
| 56 | Winston-Salem, NC | $42,400 | 3% below national |
| 57 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $42,320 | 3% below national |
| 58 | Pittsburgh, PA | $42,210 | 4% below national |
| 59 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $41,990 | 4% below national |
| 60 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $41,810 | 4% below national |
| 61 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $41,260 | 6% below national |
| 62 | Rochester, NY | $41,180 | 6% below national |
| 63 | Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $41,140 | 6% below national |
| 64 | Waco, TX | $41,010 | 6% below national |
| 65 | Wilmington, NC | $40,650 | 7% below national |
| 66 | South Florida nonmetropolitan area | $40,570 | 7% below national |
| 67 | Syracuse, NY | $40,540 | 7% below national |
| 68 | Lynchburg, VA | $40,110 | 8% below national |
| 69 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $40,110 | 8% below national |
| 70 | North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $40,100 | 8% below national |
| 71 | Mobile, AL | $40,010 | 9% below national |
| 72 | Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $39,710 | 9% below national |
| 73 | Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area | $39,620 | 10% below national |
| 74 | Jacksonville, FL | $39,480 | 10% below national |
| 75 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $39,460 | 10% below national |
| 76 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $39,210 | 10% below national |
| 77 | Anchorage, AK | $39,130 | 11% below national |
| 78 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $39,090 | 11% below national |
| 79 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $38,800 | 11% below national |
| 80 | Lancaster, PA | $38,780 | 11% below national |
| 81 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,470 | 12% below national |
| 82 | Oklahoma City, OK | $38,380 | 12% below national |
| 83 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $38,260 | 13% below national |
| 84 | Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $37,990 | 13% below national |
| 85 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $37,870 | 13% below national |
| 86 | Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $37,720 | 14% below national |
| 87 | Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $37,690 | 14% below national |
| 88 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $37,360 | 15% below national |
| 89 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $37,150 | 15% below national |
| 90 | Montgomery, AL | $37,130 | 15% below national |
| 91 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $36,610 | 16% below national |
| 92 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $36,400 | 17% below national |
| 93 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $36,010 | 18% below national |
| 94 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $35,980 | 18% below national |
| 95 | Columbia, SC | $35,850 | 18% below national |
| 96 | East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $35,560 | 19% below national |
| 97 | Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $35,360 | 19% below national |
| 98 | Madison, WI | $35,090 | 20% below national |
| 99 | Tulsa, OK | $33,990 | 22% below national |
| 100 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $33,590 | 23% below national |
| 101 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $31,520 | 28% below national |
| 102 | Rapid City, SD | $30,900 | 29% below national |
| 103 | West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $30,160 | 31% below national |
| 104 | El Paso, TX | $28,940 | 34% below national |
| 105 | Ogden, UT | $26,730 | 39% below national |
| 106 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $26,380 | 40% below national |
| 107 | Puerto Rico nonmetropolitan area | $23,620 | 46% below national |
| 108 | Mayaguez, PR | $23,390 | 47% below national |
| 109 | Ponce, PR | $23,210 | 47% below national |
| 110 | Aguadilla, PR | $22,940 | 48% below national |
| 111 | Arecibo, PR | $22,200 | 49% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 47 (construction and extraction) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Helpers--Carpenters make? ▼
What state pays Helpers--Carpenters the most? ▼
What education do you need to become a Helpers--Carpenters? ▼
How dangerous is being a Helpers--Carpenters? ▼
Is Helpers--Carpenters a good career? ▼
How does Helpers--Carpenters pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Helpers--Carpenters? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Helpers--Carpenters pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $49,400/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: New Hampshire leads at $58,090/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.