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Carpenters in California
Thinking about a career as a Carpenters in California? Below are the key facts. Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.
What do Carpenters Make in California?
For carpenters working in California, the median annual wage is $74,820 per year (or roughly $35.97/hour).Earnings range from $47,170 at the 10th percentile to $119,190 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| 25th percentile | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| Median (50th) | $74,820 | $35.97 |
| 75th percentile | $95,360 | $45.85 |
| 90th percentile | $119,190 | $57.30 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California nationwide is 1.30, meaning that carpenters are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, carpenters earn a median of $42,458 per year ($20.41/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 668,151 carpenters across the United States. In California alone, about 106,500 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 8,200 carpenters.
Top California Metros for Carpenters
These are the California metros with the most carpenters in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 31,350 | $73,840 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 15,460 | $65,050 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 14,360 | $80,950 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 9,690 | $73,690 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 9,670 | $77,100 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 4,800 | $78,090 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 2,220 | $81,210 |
| Fresno, CA | 2,180 | $60,130 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 2,050 | $69,870 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,450 | $64,910 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1,360 | $63,250 |
| Salinas, CA | 1,210 | $74,270 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 1,120 | $66,960 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 990 | $63,040 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 860 | $72,440 |
| Vallejo, CA | 840 | $80,560 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 610 | $72,740 |
| Napa, CA | 570 | $78,940 |
| Visalia, CA | 560 | $58,190 |
| Merced, CA | 460 | $64,140 |
| Chico, CA | 400 | $66,100 |
| Redding, CA | 330 | $63,030 |
| Yuba City, CA | 200 | $72,230 |
| El Centro, CA | 140 | $71,800 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 110 | $72,520 |
Top States for Carpenters Employment
These states have the highest employment of carpenters work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 106,500 |
| New York | 44,500 |
| Florida | 44,130 |
| Texas | 34,400 |
| Pennsylvania | 29,900 |
| Washington | 26,340 |
| Illinois | 24,930 |
| Michigan | 21,550 |
| Massachusetts | 19,100 |
| Virginia | 18,340 |
| Arizona | 18,290 |
| Ohio | 17,280 |
| Oregon | 16,390 |
| Missouri | 16,390 |
| Wisconsin | 15,330 |
| Indiana | 15,200 |
| Minnesota | 15,190 |
| Utah | 14,040 |
| Colorado | 13,840 |
| Nevada | 13,420 |
Highest-Paying States for Carpenters
The highest-paying states for carpenters.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,970 |
| Illinois | $76,410 |
| California | $74,820 |
| Washington | $73,260 |
| Massachusetts | $71,110 |
| District of Columbia | $66,100 |
| Alaska | $65,150 |
| Minnesota | $64,650 |
| New York | $63,660 |
| Connecticut | $63,510 |
Skills
Top carpenters skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for carpenters, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.
- Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.
- Assemble and fasten materials to make frameworks or props, using hand tools and wood screws, nails, dowel pins, or glue.
- Study specifications in blueprints, sketches, or building plans to prepare project layout and determine dimensions and materials required.
- Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws.
- Verify trueness of structure, using plumb bob and level.
- Inspect ceiling or floor tile, wall coverings, siding, glass, or woodwork to detect broken or damaged structures.
- Erect scaffolding or ladders for assembling structures above ground level.
- Install structures or fixtures, such as windows, frames, floorings, trim, or hardware, using carpenters' hand or power tools.
- Maintain records, document actions, and present written progress reports.
- Remove damaged or defective parts or sections of structures and repair or replace, using hand tools.
- Maintain job records and schedule work crew.
Work Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Intuit QuickBooks
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to carpenters include:
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
- Tile and Stone Setters
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
- Construction Laborers
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
Also Known As
Aluminum Siding Applicator, Aluminum Siding Installer, Aluminum Siding Mechanic, Amusement and Recreational Prop Maker, Asbestos Siding Mechanic, Assembled Wood Products Repairer, Beam Builder, Boat Builder, Boat Carpenter, Boat Carpenter Mechanic, Boat Finisher, Boat Joiner, Boat Repairer, Boatwright, Bowling Alley Floors Installer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 47-2031.00
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