Carpenter salary in Vermont
Median $30.00 an hour for 3,080 carpenters, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
Carpenter pay in Vermont: the full range
Vermont ranks 15th of 51 states for median carpenter pay, and 18th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $30.61). 3,080 carpenters work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.6× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $23.00 – $25.12 | $47,840 – $52,260 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $25.12 – $30.97 | $52,260 – $64,420 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $30.97 – $36.95 | $64,420 – $76,850 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Carpenter pay by metro in Vermont
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $23.77 | $30.19 | $36.95 | 900 | 1% above |
Carpenter wages in Vermont over time
Table
| Year | Vermont $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $13.12 | $25.35 | $15.35 | 2,310 |
| 2000 | $13.63 | $25.48 | $15.69 | 2,720 |
| 2001 | $14.40 | $26.18 | $16.09 | 2,740 |
| 2002 | $14.61 | $26.15 | $16.44 | 2,950 |
| 2003 | $14.91 | $26.09 | $16.47 | 3,100 |
| 2004 | $15.62 | $26.62 | $16.78 | 3,490 |
| 2005 | $16.01 | $26.39 | $17.11 | 3,550 |
| 2006 | $17.04 | $27.21 | $17.57 | 3,330 |
| 2007 | $17.68 | $27.45 | $18.11 | 3,390 |
| 2008 | $18.00 | $26.92 | $18.72 | 3,310 |
| 2009 | $18.02 | $27.04 | $18.98 | 2,840 |
| 2010 | $18.54 | $27.37 | $19.00 | 2,490 |
| 2011 | $19.38 | $27.74 | $19.24 | 2,750 |
| 2012 | $19.83 | $27.81 | $19.20 | 2,850 |
| 2013 | $19.81 | $27.38 | $19.47 | 2,710 |
| 2014 | $19.41 | $26.40 | $19.63 | 2,790 |
| 2015 | $20.11 | $27.32 | $20.24 | 3,040 |
| 2016 | $21.17 | $28.40 | $20.96 | 3,130 |
| 2017 | $20.22 | $26.56 | $21.71 | 2,780 |
| 2018 | $20.54 | $26.33 | $22.40 | 2,730 |
| 2019 | $21.59 | $27.19 | $23.24 | 2,620 |
| 2020 | $22.85 | $28.42 | $23.81 | 2,480 |
| 2021 | $22.94 | $27.26 | $23.20 | 2,730 |
| 2022 | $23.75 | $26.13 | $24.71 | 2,760 |
| 2023 | $28.20 | $29.80 | $27.09 | 3,210 |
| 2024 | $29.91 | $30.70 | $28.51 | 3,010 |
| 2025 | $30.00 | $30.00 | $29.12 | 3,080 |
In today's dollars, the median carpenter wage in Vermont changed by +9.8% over the last ten years of data and by +10.3% since 2019.
Are there more carpenter jobs in Vermont?
Since 1999, the number of carpenters counted in Vermont has changed by +33.3%, against -13.1% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +17.6%.
Table
| Year | Vermont jobs | Vermont index | US index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2,310 | 100 | 100 |
| 2000 | 2,720 | 118 | 111 |
| 2001 | 2,740 | 119 | 110 |
| 2002 | 2,950 | 128 | 111 |
| 2003 | 3,100 | 134 | 110 |
| 2004 | 3,490 | 151 | 114 |
| 2005 | 3,550 | 154 | 121 |
| 2006 | 3,330 | 144 | 128 |
| 2007 | 3,390 | 147 | 126 |
| 2008 | 3,310 | 143 | 117 |
| 2009 | 2,840 | 123 | 96 |
| 2010 | 2,490 | 108 | 80 |
| 2011 | 2,750 | 119 | 75 |
| 2012 | 2,850 | 123 | 74 |
| 2013 | 2,710 | 117 | 75 |
| 2014 | 2,790 | 121 | 80 |
| 2015 | 3,040 | 132 | 83 |
| 2016 | 3,130 | 136 | 88 |
| 2017 | 2,780 | 120 | 90 |
| 2018 | 2,730 | 118 | 93 |
| 2019 | 2,620 | 113 | 95 |
| 2020 | 2,480 | 107 | 91 |
| 2021 | 2,730 | 118 | 87 |
| 2022 | 2,760 | 120 | 90 |
| 2023 | 3,210 | 139 | 91 |
| 2024 | 3,010 | 130 | 90 |
| 2025 | 3,080 | 133 | 87 |
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 Vermont
Vermont's labor market agency projects the number of carpenters in the state to change by +6.4% between 2024 and 2034, from 5,190 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 3,080 counted by the BLS employer survey.
Source: Vermont labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for carpenters in Vermont
On federally funded construction in Vermont, contractors must pay carpenters at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 13 of the 14 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $38.08 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $30.77). 1 of the 14 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Chittenden County at $30.77). The market median for the state is $30.00.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennington | Union CARP0108-007 2015-08-31 | $32.39 | $23.43 | $55.82 | VT20260017 |
| Windham | Union CARP0108-007 2015-08-31 | $32.39 | $23.43 | $55.82 | VT20260022 |
| Addison | Union CARP0349-003 2025-09-01 | $30.56 | $19.79 | $50.35 | VT20260016 |
| Rutland | Union CARP0349-003 2025-09-01 | $30.56 | $19.79 | $50.35 | VT20260020 |
| Caledonia | Union CARP0118-008 2013-04-01 | $20.69 | $17.39 | $38.08 | VT20260018 |
| Essex | Union CARP0118-008 2013-04-01 | $20.69 | $17.39 | $38.08 | VT20260024 |
| Franklin | Union CARP0118-007 2013-04-01 | $20.69 | $17.39 | $38.08 | VT20260026 |
| Grand Isle | Union CARP0118-007 2013-04-01 | $20.69 | $17.39 | $38.08 | VT20260027 |
| Lamoille | Union CARP0118-008 2013-04-01 | $20.69 | $17.39 | $38.08 | VT20260024 |
| Orange | Union CARP0118-008 2013-04-01 | $20.69 | $17.39 | $38.08 | VT20260024 |
| Orleans | Union CARP0118-008 2013-04-01 | $20.69 | $17.39 | $38.08 | VT20260019 |
| Washington | Union CARP0118-009 2013-04-01 | $20.69 | $17.39 | $38.08 | VT20260021 |
| Windsor | Union CARP0118-008 2013-04-01 | $20.69 | $17.39 | $38.08 | VT20260023 |
| Chittenden | Survey SUVT2011-010 2011-02-10 | $20.28 | $10.49 | $30.77 | VT20260025 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Vermont prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Vermont?
Keep comparing
Carpenter pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Vermont
More on Vermont
Questions this page answers
How much do carpenters make in Vermont?
The median carpenter in Vermont earned $30.00 an hour ($62,400 a year) in May 2025, 3% above the national median of $29.12. The middle half earn $25.12–$30.97; the top 10% earn more than $36.95.
Where does Vermont rank for carpenter pay?
Vermont ranks 15th of 51 states for carpenter pay, with a median of $30.00 an hour, and 18th after adjusting for Vermont's cost of living (BEA price parity 98.0, US = 100).
What is the union carpenter rate in Vermont?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for carpenters in 13 counties, with a typical package of $38.08 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many carpenters work in Vermont?
BLS counted 3,080 carpenters in Vermont in May 2025, 10.1 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 2.35; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is carpenter work growing in Vermont?
The BLS employer survey count of carpenters in Vermont went from 3,040 in 2015 to 3,080 in 2025, +1.3%, and +17.6% since 2019. Vermont's labor market agency projects +6.4% growth for carpenters between 2024 and 2034, from 5,190 to 5,520 jobs.
How many carpenter openings a year are there in Vermont?
Vermont 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, Vermont 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: Vermont labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.