Carpenters are involved in nearly every aspect of construction. With so much work available, a lot of carpenters decide that they want to start their own independent carpentry businesses. This provides them with the freedom to work on various job sites, on a schedule of their choosing.
If you’re just starting out in your carpentry career, you could be curious about how much you’re likely to earn. What you earn will vary depending on what skills you have, where you’re based, and several other factors. However, carpenters earn an average salary of $48,260.
On the lower earning end of the median, carpenters make around $31,880. The carpenters who fall on the list of top earners make around $80,940 every year.
How Much Can You Make Every Day?
The US Bureau Of Labor Statistics states that in the year 2021, the average pay for carpenters was around $26.53 every hour. In the year 2020, there were nearly 942,900 carpenters working in the US. Of these, around 26% of carpenters were self-employed.
Carpenters who fall within the top 10% of all earners make as much as $80,940 in a year. This is almost 30% more than the national average salary. Whether you choose to run your independent carpentry business or decide to work for a Master carpenter, you’ll be able to earn well in this profession.
In Which States Do Carpenters Earn More?
There are three states where carpenters can earn the most. In Hawaii, carpenters earn more than in any other state. They earn around $79,200 every year. The state that comes in second for providing high pay to carpenters is New Jersey. Here, carpenters make as much as $71,550 every year. Carpenters also earn a lot of money in the state of Alaska. Here, they earn an average annual salary of $68,180.
You may also be interested in the states that hire a larger number of carpenters. Topping this list is Idaho, where around 9,120 carpenters are employed. Next comes Hawaii, which hires 5,670 carpenters. South Dakota follows Hawaii, with 4,270 carpenters working in the state. Next comes Wyoming, where 2,580 carpenters are employed. Vermont is a state that has a lot of carpenters as well, with 2,730 carpenters working in the state.
On average, you can expect to earn between $50,000 and $200,000 as a carpenter. Consider investing in liability insurance for carpenter as well. This is as through your career as a carpenter, you’re exposed to certain career risks. You could say, get sued by a client who is unhappy with your work. When you have liability insurance for carpenter, you gain the coverage needed to protect both your career, as well as your finances. If you would like to learn more about liability insurance for carpenter, then click here.
How Can You Increase Your Salary?
There are things you can do to earn more as a carpenter. These include:
Getting Certified
The first certification you’ll need to get, to become a carpenter is your journeyman certification. After you’ve become a journeyman, there are several certification courses that you can choose to enroll in. Not only will these increase your credibility as a carpenter, but you’ll be able to charge more for your services as well. Consider getting the LEED Green Associate certificate, as well as the Credential Certificate For Lead Carpenters.
Attend Networking Events
Even if you run an independent carpentry business, there are still times when having a strong professional network can be a boost to your career. Network with general contractors, interior designers, construction firms, house flippers, and others who are likely to need your services. You’ll be able to grow your network of referrals, while also reducing costs related to marketing your services, at the same time.
The more you grow your business, the more you’ll be able to accept a greater number of projects. With positive client referrals as well as referrals from your network aiding your career, you’ll be able to earn more.
Selecting Your Industry
What kind of carpentry services you offer, can also affect how much you earn. If you work in the construction of nonresidential buildings, you’ll be able to earn $10,000 more than the average national salary for carpenters. You’ll earn around $62,060.
You could also choose to work in finishing buildings. This industry will provide you with an average annual salary of $57,390. If you choose to work on building exteriors, as well as the structure and foundations of buildings, then you’ll earn around $54,900 every year. In the field of constructing residential buildings, you can expect to make around $51,880 every year.
Conclusion
There are several factors that go into determining how much you’re likely to earn as a carpenter. The state you work out of, what certifications you have, as well as your professional network can all play a role in how much you earn. This guide helps you learn how much carpenters earn, as well as what you can do to improve your salary.
