Do carpenters make money?

Yes, carpenters do make money and can earn a solid middle-class income, with earning potential ranging from entry-level wages to six figures depending on experience, specialization, location, union membership, and business ownership. Entry-level carpenters and apprentices typically make $18 to $25 per hour, equating to $37,000 to $52,000 per year, while average journeyman carpenters in the United States earn $24 to $35 per hour or $50,000 to $72,000 annually according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experienced carpenters with 5 to 10 years experience, especially those in high-cost coastal cities like San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Seattle, can earn $40 to $60 per hour plus benefits and overtime, reaching $80,000 to $130,000 per year, particularly union commercial carpenters on large projects. Self-employed carpenters and remodeling contractors who run their own businesses in affluent suburbs can charge $50 to $100 per hour and net $70,000 to $150,000 after expenses for tools, insurance, and taxes, with top custom builders earning more. Specializations like finish carpentry, cabinetmaking, and trim work command higher rates due to precision required. Carpentry also offers money through side jobs and custom furniture. While not as high as some licensed trades like electricians, carpentry provides steady demand due to housing and renovation needs, opportunities for advancement to foreman, superintendent, estimator, or business owner, and the ability to make good money without college debt, making it a viable way to earn a living.