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Occupation · SOC 47-2031

Carpenters

There are 670,090 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $60,580 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Construction & ExtractionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
670,090
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$60,580
Median pay a year
Middle half: $48,510–$76,830
62,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +3.9%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 390 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $74,300 · LCA filings 034,210$74,3000
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $75,740 · LCA filings 030,600$75,7400
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $76,410 · LCA filings 014,970$76,4100
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $61,780 · LCA filings 014,260$61,7800
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $80,440 · LCA filings 014,220$80,4400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $89,200 · LCA filings 014,010$89,2000
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $60,800 · LCA filings 013,280$60,8000
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $70,880 · LCA filings 012,970$70,8800
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $75,210 · LCA filings 012,720$75,2100
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $60,320 · LCA filings 012,710$60,3200

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Kankakee, ILEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$95,2801200
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 3,120 · LCA filings 0$94,3103,1200
Michigan City–La Porte, INEmployment 260 · LCA filings 0$91,9702600
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 14,010 · LCA filings 0$89,20014,0100
Decatur, ILEmployment 180 · LCA filings 0$87,2201800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $66,186 · Level III $80,413 · Level IV $94,661$51,938$66,186$80,413$94,661
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $64,938 · Level III $78,478 · Level IV $91,998$51,418$64,938$78,478$91,998
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $71,573 · Level III $83,949 · Level IV $96,304$59,218$71,573$83,949$96,304
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $55,494 · Level III $65,832 · Level IV $76,149$45,178$55,494$65,832$76,149
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $65,562 · Level III $82,930 · Level IV $100,318$48,173$65,562$82,930$100,318
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $74,901 · Level III $89,482 · Level IV $104,042$60,341$74,901$89,482$104,042
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $57,866 · Level III $66,706 · Level IV $75,566$49,005$57,866$66,706$75,566
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $60,902 · Level III $73,403 · Level IV $85,904$48,402$60,902$73,403$85,904
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $67,454 · Level III $81,120 · Level IV $94,786$53,789$67,454$81,120$94,786
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $51,875 · Level III $60,299 · Level IV $68,702$43,472$51,875$60,299$68,702

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
CarpentersCIP 46.02OPT · up to 12 months21OPT · up to 12 months

See Carpenters in every metro area

All 390 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Construction & Extraction

Construction LaborersElectriciansFirst-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersOperating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsPainters, Construction and MaintenanceConstruction and Building InspectorsCement Masons and Concrete Finishers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology