An entry level carpenter typically gets paid $18 to $25 per hour in the United States, equating to about $37,000 to $52,000 per year for full-time work, though exact pay varies by location, union status, type of work, and whether in formal apprenticeship. Apprentice carpenters in union apprenticeship programs often start at 40 to 50 percent of journeyman wage, around $18 to $22 per hour plus benefits including health insurance and retirement, with regular raises every 6 to 12 months as skills progress, reaching $28 to $40 per hour as journeyman after 3 to 4 years. Non-union entry level helpers or laborers may start lower at $15 to $20 per hour in low-cost southern and midwestern states, and higher at $22 to $28 per hour in high-cost coastal cities like San Francisco, New York, Seattle, and Boston where cost of living and demand are high. Residential framing helpers often earn less than commercial apprentices. Factors affecting entry pay include prior experience, trade school certificate, location, and employer size, with larger commercial contractors generally paying more than small residential crews. Entry level carpenters also incur costs for basic tools, boots, and transportation. While starting pay is modest compared to licensed electricians and plumbers, carpentry offers raises quickly with experience and opportunity to specialize in finish carpentry that commands higher rates, plus no college debt, making it viable entry into skilled trades with path to $50,000 to $70,000 within few years and six figures for specialists.
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