Where do carpenters make the most money?

Carpenters make the most money in high-cost coastal cities and states with strong construction demand, high cost of living, and strong union presence, plus in specialized niches like commercial and industrial projects. The highest-paying states for carpenters in the United States include Hawaii, which often ranks top with average wages around $38 to $45 per hour due to high cost of living and limited labor, Illinois especially Chicago with union commercial carpenters earning $40 to $55 per hour, New York especially New York City where union carpenters earn $45 to $60 per hour on prevailing wage jobs, New Jersey, Massachusetts especially Boston, California especially San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles where carpenters can earn $40 to $55 per hour, Washington especially Seattle, and Alaska with high wages due to remote work. Cities with highest pay include San Francisco, New York, Boston, Seattle, and Chicago. Union carpenters generally earn more than non-union, with benefits, because unions negotiate higher wages for commercial, industrial, and government projects. Specializations that pay most include industrial scaffolding carpenters on oil rigs and power plants, bridge and highway carpenters, finish carpenters doing high-end custom homes, and self-employed remodeling contractors in affluent suburbs who can charge $50 to $100 per hour. Prevailing wage jobs on government projects also pay more. Factors affecting pay include experience, certifications, cost of living, and demand from housing booms. So carpenters make most money in expensive coastal metros and union commercial work.