Skilled Wages

Carpenter salary in Oklahoma

Median $22.55 an hour for 3,820 carpenters, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$22.55/hrMedian hourly wageOklahoma, May data
$46,910/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$16.67 – $31.2210th to 90th percentilehourly range
3,820Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-13

Carpenter pay in Oklahoma: the full range

Wage percentiles, OklahomaMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrOklahoma: 10th $16.67 · 25th $19.37 · median $22.55 · 75th $25.72 · 90th $31.22Oklahoma$22.55$16.67$31.22United States: 10th $19.43 · 25th $23.32 · median $29.12 · 75th $36.94 · 90th $48.03United States$29.12
Hourly wage percentiles for carpenters: Oklahoma vs United States, May 2025.

Oklahoma ranks 51st of 51 states for median carpenter pay, and 46th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $25.68). 3,820 carpenters work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.9× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$16.67 – $19.37$34,670 – $40,280roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$19.37 – $25.72$40,280 – $53,510the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$25.72 – $31.22$53,510 – $64,940the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Carpenter pay by metro in Oklahoma

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30/hrLawton: $24.23Lawton$24.23Oklahoma City: $23.53Oklahoma City$23.53Tulsa: $22.51Tulsa$22.51Fort Smith: $20.39Fort Smith$20.39
Median hourly wage for carpenters by metro area in Oklahoma, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Lawton$17.05$24.23$28.21$59.68807% above
Oklahoma City$17.43$23.53$26.03$36.001,4204% above
Tulsa$18.16$22.51$25.24$29.021,320about the same as
Fort Smith$16.23$20.39$23.74$30.0524010% below

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

Carpenter wages in Oklahoma over time

Oklahoma, 1999-2025OklahomaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$0$10$20$30$40200020052010201520202025$29.12United States$22.55Oklahoma
Median hourly wage for carpenters, Oklahoma vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearOklahoma $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$12.42$24.00$15.353,470
2000$11.35$21.22$15.695,550
2001$11.92$21.67$16.095,640
2002$12.55$22.46$16.446,180
2003$12.39$21.68$16.477,170
2004$13.49$22.99$16.786,510
2005$13.10$21.59$17.116,900
2006$13.75$21.96$17.576,810
2007$13.74$21.33$18.116,970
2008$14.23$21.28$18.726,670
2009$14.28$21.43$18.986,960
2010$14.38$21.23$19.006,490
2011$14.90$21.33$19.246,720
2012$15.34$21.51$19.205,570
2013$16.03$22.15$19.474,920
2014$16.38$22.28$19.634,560
2015$17.20$23.36$20.244,620
2016$17.42$23.37$20.964,880
2017$18.16$23.85$21.714,720
2018$19.22$24.64$22.405,180
2019$19.53$24.59$23.245,060
2020$20.89$25.99$23.815,390
2021$18.45$21.92$23.205,480
2022$21.28$23.41$24.714,680
2023$22.20$23.46$27.094,740
2024$22.95$23.55$28.513,810
2025$22.55$22.55$29.123,820

In today's dollars, the median carpenter wage in Oklahoma changed by -3.5% over the last ten years of data and by -8.3% since 2019.

Are there more carpenter jobs in Oklahoma?

-24.5%Jobs since 20195,060 then, 3,820 in 2025
-17.3%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
2.2Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 0.5× the US share, 49th of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of carpenters counted in Oklahoma has changed by +10.1%, against -13.1% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by -24.5%.

Carpenters in Oklahoma vs United States, 1999 = 100OklahomaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages50100150200250200020052010201520202025110Oklahoma87United States
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Oklahoma vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearOklahoma jobsOklahoma indexUS index
19993,470100100
20005,550160111
20015,640162110
20026,180178111
20037,170207110
20046,510188114
20056,900199121
20066,810196128
20076,970201126
20086,670192117
20096,96020196
20106,49018780
20116,72019475
20125,57016074
20134,92014275
20144,56013180
20154,62013383
20164,88014188
20174,72013690
20185,18014993
20195,06014695
20205,39015591
20215,48015887
20224,68013590
20234,74013791
20243,81011090
20253,82011087

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 Oklahoma

+4.3%Projected growth in Oklahoma2024–2034, state agency
410Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
5,290Jobs in 20245,520 projected for 2034
+3.9%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Oklahoma's labor market agency projects the number of carpenters in the state to change by +4.3% between 2024 and 2034, from 5,290 to 5,520, with about 410 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +3.9% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 3,820 counted by the BLS employer survey.

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

Union scale and prevailing wage for carpenters in Oklahoma

On federally funded construction in Oklahoma, contractors must pay carpenters at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 2 of the 77 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $36.06 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $19.64). 75 of the 77 counties still use a survey rate dated 2012 or earlier (for example Adair County at $13.42). The market median for the state is $22.55.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, OKAdair: $13.42 (survey)Alfalfa: $21.08 (survey)Atoka: $19.64 (survey)Beaver: $21.08 (survey)Beckham: $21.21 (survey)Blaine: $21.08 (survey)Bryan: $19.64 (survey)Caddo: $21.21 (survey)Canadian: $16.83 (survey)Carter: $17.15 (survey)Cherokee: $13.42 (survey)Choctaw: $19.64 (survey)Cimarron: $21.08 (survey)Cleveland: $18.48 (survey)Coal: $19.64 (survey)Comanche: $18.30 (survey)Cotton: $21.21 (survey)Craig: $13.42 (survey)Creek: $16.15 (survey)Custer: $21.21 (survey)Delaware: $13.42 (survey)Dewey: $21.08 (survey)Ellis: $21.08 (survey)Garfield: $13.02 (survey)Garvin: $19.64 (survey)Grady: $19.27 (survey)Grant: $21.08 (survey)Greer: $21.21 (survey)Harmon: $21.21 (survey)Harper: $21.08 (survey)Haskell: $19.64 (survey)Hughes: $19.64 (survey)Jackson: $21.21 (survey)Jefferson: $21.21 (survey)Johnston: $19.64 (survey)Kay: $21.08 (survey)Kingfisher: $21.08 (survey)Kiowa: $21.21 (survey)Latimer: $19.64 (survey)Le Flore: $15.86 (survey)Lincoln: $19.27 (survey)Logan: $19.27 (survey)Love: $19.64 (survey)McClain: $19.27 (survey)McCurtain: $19.64 (survey)McIntosh: $13.42 (survey)Major: $21.08 (survey)Marshall: $19.64 (survey)Mayes: $13.42 (survey)Murray: $34.28 (union)Muskogee: $13.62 (survey)Noble: $21.08 (survey)Nowata: $13.42 (survey)Okfuskee: $13.42 (survey)Oklahoma: $19.61 (survey)Okmulgee: $16.15 (survey)Osage: $16.15 (survey)Ottawa: $13.42 (survey)Pawnee: $16.15 (survey)Payne: $37.84 (union)Pittsburg: $19.64 (survey)Pontotoc: $19.64 (survey)Pottawatomie: $19.64 (survey)Pushmataha: $19.64 (survey)Roger Mills: $21.21 (survey)Rogers: $12.38 (survey)Seminole: $19.64 (survey)Sequoyah: $15.86 (survey)Stephens: $21.21 (survey)Texas: $21.08 (survey)Tillman: $21.21 (survey)Tulsa: $16.51 (survey)Wagoner: $16.15 (survey)Washington: $14.87 (survey)Washita: $21.21 (survey)Woods: $12.79 (survey)Woodward: $21.08 (survey)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$15.92$19.62$19.64$21.08survey 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)$10$15$20$25$30/hrCotton (Lawton): market median $24.23, prevailing (survey) $21.21, gap −$3.02Cotton (Lawton)−$3.02Oklahoma (Oklahoma City): market median $23.53, prevailing (survey) $19.61, gap −$3.92Oklahoma (Oklahoma City)−$3.92Sequoyah (Fort Smith): market median $20.39, prevailing (survey) $15.86, gap −$4.53Sequoyah (Fort Smith)−$4.53Tulsa (Tulsa): market median $22.51, prevailing (survey) $16.51, gap −$6.00Tulsa (Tulsa)−$6.00Garfield (Oklahoma): market median $22.55, prevailing (survey) $13.02, gap −$9.53Garfield (Oklahoma)−$9.53
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for carpenters, metro counties in Oklahoma.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
PayneUnion CARP0329-005 2024-01-01$27.79$10.05$37.84OK20260063
MurrayUnion CARP0329-004 2022-01-01$24.15$10.13$34.28OK20260060
BeckhamSurvey SUOK2012-036 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260056
CaddoSurvey SUOK2012-050 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260070
CottonSurvey SUOK2012-050 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260070
CusterSurvey SUOK2012-037 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260057
GreerSurvey SUOK2012-050 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260070
HarmonSurvey SUOK2012-050 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260070
JacksonSurvey SUOK2012-019 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260039
JeffersonSurvey SUOK2012-050 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260070
KiowaSurvey SUOK2012-050 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260070
Roger MillsSurvey SUOK2012-050 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260070
StephensSurvey SUOK2012-044 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260064
TillmanSurvey SUOK2012-050 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260070
WashitaSurvey SUOK2012-050 2012-06-18$15.71$5.50$21.21OK20260070

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Oklahoma prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in Oklahoma?

93.5kConstruction jobsOklahoma, 2026-09
+3.8%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202620k40k60k80k100k120k1990199520002005201020152020202594kSep 2026
Construction employment in Oklahoma (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

Keep comparing

Carpenter pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Oklahoma

More on Oklahoma

Questions this page answers

How much do carpenters make in Oklahoma?

The median carpenter in Oklahoma earned $22.55 an hour ($46,910 a year) in May 2025, 23% below the national median of $29.12. The middle half earn $19.37–$25.72; the top 10% earn more than $31.22.

Where does Oklahoma rank for carpenter pay?

Oklahoma ranks 51st of 51 states for carpenter pay, with a median of $22.55 an hour, and 46th after adjusting for Oklahoma's cost of living (BEA price parity 87.8, US = 100).

What is the union carpenter rate in Oklahoma?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for carpenters in 2 counties, with a typical package of $36.06 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many carpenters work in Oklahoma?

BLS counted 3,820 carpenters in Oklahoma in May 2025, 2.2 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.52; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is carpenter work growing in Oklahoma?

The BLS employer survey count of carpenters in Oklahoma went from 4,620 in 2015 to 3,820 in 2025, -17.3%, and -24.5% since 2019. Oklahoma's labor market agency projects +4.3% growth for carpenters between 2024 and 2034, from 5,290 to 5,520 jobs.

How many carpenter openings a year are there in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma projects about 410 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, Oklahoma 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 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
  • BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
  • State projection: Oklahoma labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.