Skilled Wages

Carpenter salary in North Carolina

Median $23.61 an hour for 13,480 carpenters, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$23.61/hrMedian hourly wageNorth Carolina, May data
$49,100/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$17.13 – $30.3610th to 90th percentilehourly range
13,480Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-06

Carpenter pay in North Carolina: the full range

Wage percentiles, North CarolinaMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrNorth Carolina: 10th $17.13 · 25th $20.27 · median $23.61 · 75th $28.27 · 90th $30.36North Carolina$23.61$17.13$30.36United States: 10th $19.43 · 25th $23.32 · median $29.12 · 75th $36.94 · 90th $48.03United States$29.12
Hourly wage percentiles for carpenters: North Carolina vs United States, May 2025.

North Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for median carpenter pay, and 48th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $25.04). 13,480 carpenters work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.8× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$17.13 – $20.27$35,620 – $42,150roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$20.27 – $28.27$42,150 – $58,810the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$28.27 – $30.36$58,810 – $63,160the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Carpenter pay by metro in North Carolina

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30/hrDurham: $24.78Durham$24.78Virginia Beach: $24.76Virginia Beach$24.76Asheville: $24.66Asheville$24.66Charlotte: $24.50Charlotte$24.50Wilmington: $24.44Wilmington$24.44Raleigh: $24.43Raleigh$24.43Winston-Salem: $24.01Winston-Salem$24.01Goldsboro: $24.00Goldsboro$24.00Greensboro: $24.00Greensboro$24.00Burlington: $23.69Burlington$23.69Jacksonville: $23.50Jacksonville$23.50Hickory: $23.20Hickory$23.20
Median hourly wage for carpenters by metro area in North Carolina, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Durham$18.94$24.78$25.39$30.415205% above
Virginia Beach$18.72$24.76$25.29$35.324,0205% above
Asheville$17.25$24.66$25.55$35.647504% above
Charlotte$18.39$24.50$25.18$31.563,7304% above
Wilmington$18.27$24.44$25.35$31.016404% above
Raleigh$16.04$24.43$24.88$31.172,6803% above
Winston-Salem$17.11$24.01$26.10$33.205102% above
Goldsboro$17.06$24.00$27.12$33.11602% above
Greensboro$17.39$24.00$25.83$30.007602% above
Burlington$17.16$23.69$25.42$29.28100about the same as
Jacksonville$17.13$23.50$25.52$29.04140about the same as
Hickory$18.03$23.20$26.21$30.152502% below
Pinehurst$16.80$23.00$26.05$29.59903% below
Rocky Mount$16.59$22.83$25.94$26.341403% below
Fayetteville$17.54$22.50$24.46$30.032805% below
Greenville$16.85$22.47$25.42$28.951805% below

Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).

Carpenter wages in North Carolina over time

North Carolina, 1999-2025North CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$20$30$40200020052010201520202025$29.12United States$23.61North Carolina
Median hourly wage for carpenters, North Carolina vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearNorth Carolina $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$12.07$23.32$15.3518,330
2000$12.33$23.05$15.6925,840
2001$12.92$23.49$16.0921,800
2002$13.26$23.73$16.4424,130
2003$13.37$23.39$16.4723,150
2004$13.66$23.28$16.7819,290
2005$13.90$22.91$17.1123,670
2006$14.03$22.41$17.5724,920
2007$14.67$22.78$18.1125,660
2008$15.06$22.52$18.7224,070
2009$15.30$22.96$18.9818,700
2010$15.42$22.77$19.0015,210
2011$15.63$22.37$19.2413,870
2012$15.59$21.86$19.2013,510
2013$15.76$21.78$19.4713,480
2014$16.06$21.84$19.6314,050
2015$16.53$22.45$20.2413,730
2016$16.86$22.62$20.9615,200
2017$17.21$22.60$21.7116,540
2018$17.49$22.42$22.4017,700
2019$17.87$22.50$23.2417,880
2020$18.21$22.65$23.8116,970
2021$18.75$22.28$23.2014,320
2022$21.63$23.79$24.7114,710
2023$22.23$23.49$27.0914,600
2024$22.90$23.50$28.5113,410
2025$23.61$23.61$29.1213,480

In today's dollars, the median carpenter wage in North Carolina changed by +5.2% over the last ten years of data and by +4.9% since 2019.

Are there more carpenter jobs in North Carolina?

-24.6%Jobs since 201917,880 then, 13,480 in 2025
-1.8%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
2.7Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 0.6× the US share, 44th of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of carpenters counted in North Carolina has changed by -26.5%, against -13.1% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by -24.6%.

Carpenters in North Carolina vs United States, 1999 = 100North CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages507510012515020002005201020152020202587United States74North Carolina
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, North Carolina vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearNorth Carolina jobsNorth Carolina indexUS index
199918,330100100
200025,840141111
200121,800119110
200224,130132111
200323,150126110
200419,290105114
200523,670129121
200624,920136128
200725,660140126
200824,070131117
200918,70010296
201015,2108380
201113,8707675
201213,5107474
201313,4807475
201414,0507780
201513,7307583
201615,2008388
201716,5409090
201817,7009793
201917,8809895
202016,9709391
202114,3207887
202214,7108090
202314,6008091
202413,4107390
202513,4807487

Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.

Outlook for carpenters in North Carolina

+5.0%Projected growth in North Carolina2024–2034, state agency
1,430Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
18,400Jobs in 202419,310 projected for 2034
+3.9%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

North Carolina's labor market agency projects the number of carpenters in the state to change by +5.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 18,400 to 19,310, with about 1,430 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +3.9% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 13,480 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: North Carolina labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).

Union scale and prevailing wage for carpenters in North Carolina

On federally funded construction in North Carolina, contractors must pay carpenters at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 0 of the 99 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package — an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $18.92). 54 of the 99 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Alleghany County at $17.85). The market median for the state is $23.61.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, NCAlamance: $23.37 (survey)Alexander: $28.43 (survey)Alleghany: $17.85 (survey)Anson: $15.57 (survey)Ashe: $17.85 (survey)Avery: $17.85 (survey)Beaufort: $17.03 (survey)Bertie: $17.03 (survey)Bladen: $18.92 (survey)Brunswick: $24.18 (survey)Buncombe: $26.82 (survey)Burke: $28.43 (survey)Cabarrus: $26.49 (survey)Caldwell: $28.43 (survey)Camden: $17.03 (survey)Carteret: $17.03 (survey)Caswell: $18.09 (survey)Catawba: $28.43 (survey)Chatham: $23.37 (survey)Cherokee: $17.85 (survey)Chowan: $17.03 (survey)Clay: $17.85 (survey)Cleveland: $18.92 (survey)Columbus: $18.92 (survey)Craven: $24.69 (survey)Cumberland: $24.69 (survey)Currituck: $24.69 (survey)Dare: $17.03 (survey)Davidson: $20.76 (survey)Davie: $20.76 (survey)Duplin: $18.92 (survey)Durham: $23.37 (survey)Edgecombe: $22.83 (survey)Forsyth: n/aFranklin: $23.75 (survey)Gaston: $25.28 (survey)Gates: $24.69 (survey)Graham: $17.85 (survey)Granville: $18.09 (survey)Greene: $19.78 (survey)Guilford: $29.83 (survey)Halifax: $18.09 (survey)Harnett: $18.92 (survey)Haywood: $26.82 (survey)Henderson: $26.82 (survey)Hertford: $17.03 (survey)Hoke: $24.69 (survey)Hyde: $17.03 (survey)Iredell: $26.49 (survey)Jackson: $17.85 (survey)Johnston: $23.75 (survey)Jones: $24.69 (survey)Lee: $18.92 (survey)Lenoir: $18.92 (survey)Lincoln: $26.49 (survey)McDowell: $17.85 (survey)Macon: $17.85 (survey)Madison: $26.82 (survey)Martin: $17.03 (survey)Mecklenburg: $29.15 (survey)Mitchell: $17.85 (survey)Montgomery: $18.92 (survey)Moore: $18.92 (survey)Nash: $22.83 (survey)New Hanover: $26.10 (survey)Northampton: $18.09 (survey)Onslow: $20.74 (survey)Orange: $23.37 (survey)Pamlico: $24.69 (survey)Pasquotank: $17.03 (survey)Pender: $24.18 (survey)Perquimans: $17.03 (survey)Person: $23.37 (survey)Pitt: $22.83 (survey)Polk: $17.85 (survey)Randolph: $24.45 (survey)Richmond: $18.92 (survey)Robeson: $18.92 (survey)Rockingham: $24.45 (survey)Rowan: $26.49 (survey)Rutherford: $17.85 (survey)Sampson: $18.92 (survey)Scotland: $18.92 (survey)Stanly: $18.92 (survey)Stokes: $20.76 (survey)Surry: $17.85 (survey)Swain: $17.85 (survey)Transylvania: $17.85 (survey)Tyrrell: $17.03 (survey)Union: $26.49 (survey)Vance: $18.09 (survey)Wake: $23.60 (survey)Warren: $18.09 (survey)Washington: $17.03 (survey)Watauga: $17.85 (survey)Wayne: $23.75 (survey)Wilkes: $17.85 (survey)Wilson: $18.92 (survey)Yadkin: $20.76 (survey)Yancey: $17.85 (survey)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$17.85$18.92$22.42$24.69n/asurvey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for carpenters by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.
Market median vs prevailing wage by countyMarket medianPrevailing (survey)$15$20$25$30$35/hrGuilford (Greensboro): market median $24.00, prevailing (survey) $29.83, gap +$5.83Guilford (Greensboro)+$5.83Alexander (Hickory): market median $23.20, prevailing (survey) $28.43, gap +$5.23Alexander (Hickory)+$5.23Mecklenburg (Charlotte): market median $24.50, prevailing (survey) $29.15, gap +$4.65Mecklenburg (Charlotte)+$4.65Cumberland (Fayetteville): market median $22.50, prevailing (survey) $24.69, gap +$2.19Cumberland (Fayetteville)+$2.19Buncombe (Asheville): market median $24.66, prevailing (survey) $26.82, gap +$2.16Buncombe (Asheville)+$2.16New Hanover (Wilmington): market median $24.44, prevailing (survey) $26.10, gap +$1.66New Hanover (Wilmington)+$1.66Pitt (Greenville): market median $22.47, prevailing (survey) $22.83, gap +$0.36Pitt (Greenville)+$0.36Edgecombe (Rocky Mount): market median $22.83, prevailing (survey) $22.83, gap +$0.00Edgecombe (Rocky Mount)+$0.00Currituck (Virginia Beach): market median $24.76, prevailing (survey) $24.69, gap −$0.07Currituck (Virginia Beach)−$0.07Wayne (Goldsboro): market median $24.00, prevailing (survey) $23.75, gap −$0.25Wayne (Goldsboro)−$0.25Alamance (Burlington): market median $23.69, prevailing (survey) $23.37, gap −$0.32Alamance (Burlington)−$0.32Franklin (Raleigh): market median $24.43, prevailing (survey) $23.75, gap −$0.68Franklin (Raleigh)−$0.68Chatham (Durham): market median $24.78, prevailing (survey) $23.37, gap −$1.41Chatham (Durham)−$1.41Onslow (Jacksonville): market median $23.50, prevailing (survey) $20.74, gap −$2.76Onslow (Jacksonville)−$2.76Davidson (Winston-Salem): market median $24.01, prevailing (survey) $20.76, gap −$3.25Davidson (Winston-Salem)−$3.25Moore (Pinehurst): market median $23.00, prevailing (survey) $18.92, gap −$4.08Moore (Pinehurst)−$4.08
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for carpenters, metro counties in North Carolina.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
GuilfordSurvey SUNC2018-006 2023-08-08$20.68$9.15$29.83NC20260006
MecklenburgSurvey SUNC2018-008 2023-08-08$23.73$5.42$29.15NC20260008
AlexanderSurvey SUNC2018-025 2023-08-08$19.28$9.15$28.43NC20260014
BurkeSurvey SUNC2018-025 2023-08-08$19.28$9.15$28.43NC20260014
CaldwellSurvey SUNC2018-025 2023-08-08$19.28$9.15$28.43NC20260014
CatawbaSurvey SUNC2018-002 2023-08-08$19.28$9.15$28.43NC20260002
BuncombeSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$20.69$6.13$26.82NC20260016
HaywoodSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$20.69$6.13$26.82NC20260016
HendersonSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$20.69$6.13$26.82NC20260016
MadisonSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$20.69$6.13$26.82NC20260016
CabarrusSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$21.33$5.16$26.49NC20260017
IredellSurvey SUNC2018-007 2023-08-08$21.33$5.16$26.49NC20260007
LincolnSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$21.33$5.16$26.49NC20260017
RowanSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$21.33$5.16$26.49NC20260017
UnionSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$21.33$5.16$26.49NC20260017

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-06. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the North Carolina prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in North Carolina?

296.4kConstruction jobsNorth Carolina, 2026-09
+6.0%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-2026100k150k200k250k300k350k19901995200020052010201520202025296kSep 2026
Construction employment in North Carolina (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

Keep comparing

Carpenter pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in North Carolina

More on North Carolina

Questions this page answers

How much do carpenters make in North Carolina?

The median carpenter in North Carolina earned $23.61 an hour ($49,100 a year) in May 2025, 19% below the national median of $29.12. The middle half earn $20.27–$28.27; the top 10% earn more than $30.36.

Where does North Carolina rank for carpenter pay?

North Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for carpenter pay, with a median of $23.61 an hour, and 48th after adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (BEA price parity 94.3, US = 100).

What is the union carpenter rate in North Carolina?

Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a carpenter classification for most North Carolina counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.

How many carpenters work in North Carolina?

BLS counted 13,480 carpenters in North Carolina in May 2025, 2.7 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.63; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is carpenter work growing in North Carolina?

The BLS employer survey count of carpenters in North Carolina went from 13,730 in 2015 to 13,480 in 2025, -1.8%, and -24.6% since 2019. North Carolina's labor market agency projects +5.0% growth for carpenters between 2024 and 2034, from 18,400 to 19,310 jobs.

How many carpenter openings a year are there in North Carolina?

North Carolina projects about 1,430 openings a year for carpenters over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 62,800 a year.

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Carolina and metro areas, SOC 47-2031. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
  • SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-06. Not the official determination.
  • BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
  • State projection: North Carolina labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.