As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Carpenter in the United States is $59,680 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.
However, a Lead Carpenter's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Lead Carpenter Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $66,138 | $5,512 | $1,272 | $32 |
| Average | $59,680 | $4,973 | $1,148 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,673 | $4,473 | $1,032 | $26 |
A Lead Carpenter's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Carpenter's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lead Carpenter | $57,210 |
| Intermediate Level Lead Carpenter | $57,391 |
| Senior Level Lead Carpenter | $59,205 |
| Specialist Level Lead Carpenter | $61,579 |
| Expert Level Lead Carpenter | $62,529 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 5.53% |
| Customer Satisfaction | 4% |
| Telecommunications | 1.01% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lead Carpenter's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Communication | $63,261 | |
| Collaboration | $62,664 | |
| Sense Of Urgency | $62,067 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Carpenters enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lead Carpenter with a No Diploma is between $58,064 and $62,840).
| Typical Education for Lead Carpenter | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 5.2% |
| High School | 66.1% |
| Associates | 13.0% |
| Bachelors | 12.2% |
| Masters | 3.5% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Lead Carpenter's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $66,138 | $5,512 | $1,272 | $32 |
| Average | $59,680 | $4,973 | $1,148 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,673 | $4,473 | $1,032 | $26 |
Salaries for a Lead Carpenter can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,907 in 2023 to around $49,809 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Carpenter salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $49,907 |
| 2024 | $50,022 |
| 2025 | $49,809 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Carpenter roles, with salaries approximately 28% above the market median.
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