Carpenter Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Carpenters in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$79,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+30% vs US median
US median $60,580
State Rank
#2 of 51
19,570 employed here

How much does a Carpenter make in Illinois?

A Carpenter working in Illinois earns a median salary of $79,000 per year, or about $37.98 per hour. That is 30% above the national median of $60,580 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $39,890 while the top 10% make $117,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,160 and $106,950 a year.

Carpenter salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,890$19.18
25th percentile (early career)$56,160$27.00
50th percentile (median)$79,000$37.98
75th percentile (experienced)$106,950$51.42
90th percentile (top earners)$117,660$56.57

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Carpenter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$85,280
2Illinois$79,000
3California$75,920
4Massachusetts$75,200
5Washington$74,190

Working as a Carpenter in Illinois

Nationally, about 670,000 people work as Carpenters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($79,000) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Carpenter make in Illinois?
The median Carpenter salary in Illinois is $79,000 per year, or about $37.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,890 at the entry level to $117,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Carpenters about 30% more than the national median of $60,580. Illinois ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Carpenters?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,000 a year. About 19,570 Carpenters are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Carpenter salary report

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$76,170
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$47,730
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.