Skilled Wages

Carpenter salary in Washington

Median $35.67 an hour for 26,960 carpenters, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$35.67/hrMedian hourly wageWashington, May data
$74,190/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$25.16 – $57.6510th to 90th percentilehourly range
26,960Jobs countedemployer survey

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

Carpenter pay in Washington: the full range

Wage percentiles, WashingtonMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$0$20$40$60$80/hrWashington: 10th $25.16 · 25th $29.15 · median $35.67 · 75th $44.55 · 90th $57.65Washington$35.67$25.16$57.65United States: 10th $19.43 · 25th $23.32 · median $29.12 · 75th $36.94 · 90th $48.03United States$29.12
Hourly wage percentiles for carpenters: Washington vs United States, May 2025.

Washington ranks 5th of 51 states for median carpenter pay, and 5th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $33.34). 26,960 carpenters work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.3× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$25.16 – $29.15$52,330 – $60,630roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$29.15 – $44.55$60,630 – $92,660the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$44.55 – $57.65$92,660 – $119,920the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Carpenter pay by metro in Washington

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30$40/hrSeattle: $36.74Seattle$36.74Portland: $35.44Portland$35.44Bellingham: $35.22Bellingham$35.22Mount Vernon: $33.51Mount Vernon$33.51Longview: $32.96Longview$32.96Bremerton: $31.25Bremerton$31.25Kennewick: $30.92Kennewick$30.92Wenatchee: $30.60Wenatchee$30.60Yakima: $30.43Yakima$30.43Olympia: $30.41Olympia$30.41Spokane: $29.76Spokane$29.76Walla Walla: $28.68Walla Walla$28.68
Median hourly wage for carpenters by metro area in Washington, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Seattle$27.93$36.74$33.07$59.5014,9703% above
Portland$22.81$35.44$33.62$52.139,2101% below
Bellingham$24.49$35.22$34.09$56.989501% below
Mount Vernon$24.13$33.51$32.72$57.675406% below
Longview$24.06$32.96$33.81$56.463608% below
Bremerton$24.93$31.25$29.59$46.9294012% below
Kennewick$23.68$30.92$30.89$57.091,31013% below
Wenatchee$22.67$30.60$29.45$52.3440014% below
Yakima$21.81$30.43$31.86$59.0948015% below
Olympia$24.60$30.41$29.32$48.2280015% below
Spokane$23.44$29.76$29.67$42.182,02017% below
Walla Walla$23.06$28.68$29.12$39.1612020% below
Lewiston$18.89$27.61$30.27$36.1115023% below

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

Carpenter wages in Washington over time

Washington, 1999-2025WashingtonUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$20$30$40200020052010201520202025$35.67Washington$29.12United States
Median hourly wage for carpenters, Washington vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearWashington $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$19.74$38.15$15.3524,340
2000$19.61$36.66$15.6923,600
2001$20.39$37.07$16.0922,740
2002$19.87$35.56$16.4423,470
2003$20.11$35.19$16.4721,940
2004$21.05$35.88$16.7822,890
2005$20.60$33.96$17.1123,910
2006$21.34$34.08$17.5726,510
2007$21.10$32.76$18.1130,550
2008$22.37$33.45$18.7232,410
2009$22.54$33.82$18.9827,270
2010$23.10$34.11$19.0021,610
2011$23.14$33.12$19.2419,130
2012$22.86$32.05$19.2017,070
2013$22.68$31.34$19.4719,580
2014$23.36$31.77$19.6320,360
2015$24.80$33.69$20.2422,360
2016$25.13$33.71$20.9624,180
2017$26.11$34.29$21.7125,620
2018$27.52$35.28$22.4026,350
2019$28.82$36.29$23.2425,600
2020$29.29$36.43$23.8125,480
2021$29.18$34.67$23.2026,200
2022$30.42$33.46$24.7126,470
2023$34.67$36.63$27.0928,690
2024$35.22$36.15$28.5126,340
2025$35.67$35.67$29.1226,960

In today's dollars, the median carpenter wage in Washington changed by +5.9% over the last ten years of data and by -1.7% since 2019.

Are there more carpenter jobs in Washington?

+5.3%Jobs since 201925,600 then, 26,960 in 2025
+20.6%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
7.6Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.8× the US share, 12th of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of carpenters counted in Washington has changed by +10.8%, against -13.1% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +5.3%.

Carpenters in Washington vs United States, 1999 = 100WashingtonUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages6080100120140200020052010201520202025111Washington87United States
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Washington vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearWashington jobsWashington indexUS index
199924,340100100
200023,60097111
200122,74093110
200223,47096111
200321,94090110
200422,89094114
200523,91098121
200626,510109128
200730,550126126
200832,410133117
200927,27011296
201021,6108980
201119,1307975
201217,0707074
201319,5808075
201420,3608480
201522,3609283
201624,1809988
201725,62010590
201826,35010893
201925,60010595
202025,48010591
202126,20010887
202226,47010990
202328,69011891
202426,34010890
202526,96011187

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 Washington

+2.0%Projected growth in Washington2024–2034, state agency
3,280Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
43,810Jobs in 202444,670 projected for 2034
+3.9%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Washington's labor market agency projects the number of carpenters in the state to change by +2.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 43,810 to 44,670, with about 3,280 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +3.9% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 26,960 counted by the BLS employer survey.

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

Union scale and prevailing wage for carpenters in Washington

On federally funded construction in Washington, contractors must pay carpenters at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 38 of the 39 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $71.50 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $26.72). 1 of the 39 counties still use a survey rate dated 2009 or earlier (for example Okanogan County at $26.72). The market median for the state is $35.67.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, WAAdams: $61.49 (union)Asotin: $61.49 (union)Benton: $61.49 (union)Chelan: $61.49 (union)Clallam: $83.11 (union)Clark: $71.50 (union)Columbia: $61.49 (union)Cowlitz: $71.50 (union)Douglas: $61.49 (union)Ferry: $61.49 (union)Franklin: $61.49 (union)Garfield: $61.49 (union)Grant: $61.49 (union)Grays Harbor: $83.11 (union)Island: $83.11 (union)Jefferson: $83.11 (union)King: $83.11 (union)Kitsap: $83.11 (union)Kittitas: $61.49 (union)Klickitat: $71.50 (union)Lewis: $83.11 (union)Lincoln: $61.49 (union)Mason: $83.11 (union)Okanogan: $26.72 (survey)Pacific: $83.11 (union)Pend Oreille: $61.49 (union)Pierce: $83.11 (union)San Juan: $83.11 (union)Skagit: $83.11 (union)Skamania: $71.50 (union)Snohomish: $83.11 (union)Spokane: $61.49 (union)Stevens: $61.49 (union)Thurston: $83.11 (union)Wahkiakum: $71.50 (union)Walla Walla: $61.49 (union)Whatcom: $83.11 (union)Whitman: $61.49 (union)Yakima: $61.49 (union)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$61.49$71.50survey 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 (union)$20$40$60$80$100/hrThurston (Olympia): market median $30.41, prevailing (union) $83.11, gap +$52.70Thurston (Olympia)+$52.70Kitsap (Bremerton): market median $31.25, prevailing (union) $83.11, gap +$51.86Kitsap (Bremerton)+$51.86Skagit (Mount Vernon): market median $33.51, prevailing (union) $83.11, gap +$49.60Skagit (Mount Vernon)+$49.60Whatcom (Bellingham): market median $35.22, prevailing (union) $83.11, gap +$47.89Whatcom (Bellingham)+$47.89King (Seattle): market median $36.74, prevailing (union) $83.11, gap +$46.37King (Seattle)+$46.37Cowlitz (Longview): market median $32.96, prevailing (union) $71.50, gap +$38.54Cowlitz (Longview)+$38.54Clark (Portland): market median $35.44, prevailing (union) $71.50, gap +$36.06Clark (Portland)+$36.06Asotin (Lewiston): market median $27.61, prevailing (union) $61.49, gap +$33.88Asotin (Lewiston)+$33.88Walla Walla (Walla Walla): market median $28.68, prevailing (union) $61.49, gap +$32.81Walla Walla (Walla Walla)+$32.81Spokane (Spokane): market median $29.76, prevailing (union) $61.49, gap +$31.73Spokane (Spokane)+$31.73Yakima (Yakima): market median $30.43, prevailing (union) $61.49, gap +$31.06Yakima (Yakima)+$31.06Chelan (Wenatchee): market median $30.60, prevailing (union) $61.49, gap +$30.89Chelan (Wenatchee)+$30.89Benton (Kennewick): market median $30.92, prevailing (union) $61.49, gap +$30.57Benton (Kennewick)+$30.57
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for carpenters, metro counties in Washington.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
ClallamUnion CARP0425-003 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260022
Grays HarborUnion CARP0360-004 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260027
IslandUnion CARP0425-003 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260028
JeffersonUnion CARP0425-003 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260029
KingUnion CARP0206-001 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260108
KitsapUnion CARP0206-007 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260109
LewisUnion CARP0360-011 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260032
MasonUnion CARP0360-011 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260034
PacificUnion CARP0360-012 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260036
PierceUnion CARP0360-004 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260111
San JuanUnion CARP0425-003 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260038
SkagitUnion CARP0425-001 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260112
SnohomishUnion CARP0425-003 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260113
ThurstonUnion CARP0360-001 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260116
WhatcomUnion CARP0425-001 2025-06-01$63.98$19.13$83.11WA20260118

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

Is construction work growing in Washington?

223.9kConstruction jobsWashington, 2026-09
+0.7%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202650k100k150k200k250k300k19901995200020052010201520202025224kSep 2026
Construction employment in Washington (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

Keep comparing

Carpenter pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Washington

More on Washington

Questions this page answers

How much do carpenters make in Washington?

The median carpenter in Washington earned $35.67 an hour ($74,190 a year) in May 2025, 22% above the national median of $29.12. The middle half earn $29.15–$44.55; the top 10% earn more than $57.65.

Where does Washington rank for carpenter pay?

Washington ranks 5th of 51 states for carpenter pay, with a median of $35.67 an hour, and 5th after adjusting for Washington's cost of living (BEA price parity 107.0, US = 100).

What is the union carpenter rate in Washington?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for carpenters in 38 counties, with a typical package of $71.50 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many carpenters work in Washington?

BLS counted 26,960 carpenters in Washington in May 2025, 7.6 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.76; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is carpenter work growing in Washington?

The BLS employer survey count of carpenters in Washington went from 22,360 in 2015 to 26,960 in 2025, +20.6%, and +5.3% since 2019. Washington's labor market agency projects +2.0% growth for carpenters between 2024 and 2034, from 43,810 to 44,670 jobs.

How many carpenter openings a year are there in Washington?

Washington projects about 3,280 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, Washington 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: Washington labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.