How Much Does a Finish Carpenter Make? (2025)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts that carpenter jobs in the US are expected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033. This figure is faster than average and corresponds to an estimated 76,500 job openings every year for finish carpenters, including construction carpenters, rough carpenters, and wood installers.
Salary.com reports that the average annual salary for finish carpenters in the United States for 2025 is $63,730. This salary guide provides a comprehensive overview of finish carpenter salaries, job descriptions, FAQs, and job expectations.
What Does a Finish Carpenter Do?
A finish carpenter typically constructs, repairs, or installs building frameworks and other finishing touches on various projects. These could include insulating office buildings, installing drywall, constructing kitchen cabinets, and more. Some also work in the construction industry, fabricating concrete forms for columns, pillars, and beams.
Finish carpenters are experts in utilizing different tools to cut and shape wood, plastic, fiberglass, or drywall. They may also use power tools including sanders, circular saws, nail guns, and welding machines. The top industries that finish carpenters work for are the following:
- Nonresidential building construction
- Building finishing contractors
- Residential building construction
- Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors
Having a high school diploma or equivalent is a huge plus for finish carpenters because certain high school courses offer mathematics and mechanical drawing subjects that are useful for them. However, most finish carpenters learn and upskill through on-the-job training and apprenticeships.
What is the Finish Carpenter Salary Overview?
The average salary for finish carpenters in the United States in 2025 is $63,730 per year according to Salary.com. A finish carpenter’s salary ranges from $47,892 to $81,841 per year, with most earning between $55,440 and $73,210. The average salary per month is $5,311.
Finish carpenters typically earn an average of $31 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $23 to $39. Moreover, the average salary for finish carpenters per week is $1,226, with weekly pay ranging from $921 to $1,574.
2025 Finish Carpenter Salary: $63,730 ($31 per hour)
Meanwhile, the median core compensation for a finish carpenter is $64,090 per year, including salary and bonuses, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $48,291 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,820 |
| 50th Percentile | $64,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $73,790 |
| 90th Percentile | $82,621 |
On the other hand, the average total compensation for finish carpenters in the US is $92,668, according to the Salary.com report. The total compensation package includes benefits like healthcare ($8,352), time off ($7,888), and Social Security ($4,903), which make up 22.8% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $63,730 | 68.8% |
| Bonus | $360 | 0.4% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $4,903 | 5.3% |
| 401K/403B | $2,692 | 2.9% |
| Disability | $1,282 | 1.4% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 9.0% |
| Pension | $3,461 | 3.7% |
| Time Off | $7,888 | 8.5% |
| Total Compensation | $92,668 | 100% |
What Can Affect a Finish Carpenter’s Salary?
Various factors such as experience level, geographic location, education, and skills can significantly influence the salary of finish carpenters. Below is a breakdown of key salary components:
By Experience Level
Salary.com data shows that entry-level finish carpenters with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $60,397. In contrast, experienced finish carpenters working for eight or more years, considered expert-level professionals, can expect to earn an average salary of $67,990.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Finish Carpenter | $60,397 |
| Intermediate Level Finish Carpenter | $60,642 |
| Senior Level Finish Carpenter | $63,090 |
| Specialist Level Finish Carpenter | $66,590 |
| Expert Level Finish Carpenter | $67,990 |
By Geographic Location
Salaries for finish carpenters in the United States vary by geographic location due to key factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence.
Among the hot cities in the United States, San Francisco reports the highest median salary at $79,670 while Miami and Dallas reflect lower median salaries at $61,500 and $62,910, respectively.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $69,300 | $79,670 | $91,510 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $61,710 | $70,940 | $81,480 |
| Miami, Florida | $53,500 | $61,500 | $70,650 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $58,160 | $66,860 | $76,790 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $62,150 | $71,450 | $82,060 |
| New York, New York | $64,760 | $74,440 | $85,510 |
| Dallas, Texas | $54,720 | $62,910 | $72,260 |
By Skills
Gaining sought-after skills is an effective way to increase finish carpenter salaries and unlock more career opportunities. The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand finish carpenter skills are carpentry and plumbing with 51.01% and 16.11%, respectively.
Meanwhile, essential skills such as safety policies and procedures can increase finish carpenter salaries by 8.53%. The table below includes more in-demand skills for finish carpenters and their respective influence on their salary:
| Skills | Demand (%) | Salary (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Policies and Procedures | 4.87% | +8.53% |
| Safety Procedures | 1.75% | +7.31% |
| Customer Satisfaction | 5.71% | +6.98% |
| Customer Relation | 1.86% | +6.28% |
| Carpentry | 51.01% | +6.16% |
| Blueprint Reading | 3.02% | +6.07% |
How to Become a Finish Carpenter?
Finish carpenters typically learn on the job or through apprenticeships, although a high school diploma or equivalent could be useful. Basic knowledge of mathematics and mechanical drawings is also a huge plus. To pursue a career and earn more money as a finish carpenter, concentrate on developing the following key areas such as the following:
- Acquire important core qualities: A finish carpenter is expected to possess necessary qualities such as business, interpersonal, mathematical, reading comprehension, and problem-solving skills. He must also be detail-oriented, dexterous, and physically strong.
- Undergo rigorous training: Finish carpenters typically hone their skills through on-the-job training. This is the time when they learn the basics of carpentry and other skills such as blueprint reading, mathematics, building code requirements, safety, and first aid practices.
- Expand work experience: Some finish carpenters explore work opportunities in related fields such as construction, plumbing, and even electrical work to further expand their skill sets.
- Acquire relevant licenses and certifications: Optional certification programs from authorized organizations like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Wood Flooring Association are also significant career advancement opportunities. Moreover, some finish carpenters may need a driver’s license to travel.
What are the FAQs about Finish Carpenters?
Here are some common questions about the finish carpenter pay:
What is the highest salary for a finish carpenter?
Finish carpenters in hot cities in the United States typically earn more than those working in other locations. For instance, a finish carpenter based in San Francisco, California earns an average yearly salary of $79,670 according to Salary.com. This is roughly 20% higher compared to the national average.
What educational background is needed to become a finish carpenter?
As per the BLS, finish carpenters are typically required to acquire a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the industry. Although finish carpenters typically build their credentials through training, apprenticeship programs, work experience, and certifications.
Is finish carpentry a stressful job?
Yes. Full-time finish carpenters usually work even on evenings and weekends, depending on the project requirements. They could also be exposed to health hazards such as physical injuries, accidents, and extreme weather conditions.
What do finish carpenters charge per hour?
The average hourly rate of finish carpenters in the US is $31, with rates ranging from $23 to $39.
