Yes, carpenters can make six figures, meaning over $100,000 per year, though it typically requires experience, specialization, location in high-cost areas, union membership, overtime, or owning your own business, as average carpenters earn less and entry-level wages are lower. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, average carpenter earns about $50,000 to $60,000 annually, but top 10 percent earn over $90,000. Carpenters who make six figures often work in high-paying regions like San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Boston, Seattle, Hawaii, and Chicago where cost of living and construction demand are high, especially union commercial carpenters earning $45 to $60 per hour plus benefits and overtime, which can push annual earnings to $100,000 to $130,000. Specializations that command six figures include finish carpenters and trim carpenters doing high-end custom homes, cabinetmakers building custom kitchens, industrial carpenters on large commercial and infrastructure projects, and self-employed remodeling contractors in affluent suburbs who charge $50 to $100 per hour and net six figures after expenses. Factors helping reach six figures include 5 to 10 years experience, certifications, strong portfolio, business skills for estimating, and working prevailing wage jobs on government projects that pay more. Self-employed carpenters must account for tools, insurance, taxes, and seasonal gaps. So while not all carpenters make six figures, it is achievable for skilled carpenters in right markets with specialization or business ownership.
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