Tennessee Median
$50,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $60,580
State Rank
#38 of 51
8,200 employed here
How much does a Carpenter make in Tennessee?
Carpenters in Tennessee take home a median of $50,830 annually — roughly $24.44 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $60,580.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $37,460 while the top 10% make $66,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,520 and $59,900 a year.
Carpenter salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,520 | $22.37 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,830 | $24.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,900 | $28.80 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,450 | $31.95 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories for Carpenter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Carpenter salary in other states
Hawaii $85,280Illinois $79,000California $75,920Massachusetts $75,200Washington $74,190Alaska $73,860New York $72,330Minnesota $64,930Connecticut $64,060New Jersey $64,010Maryland $62,960Indiana $62,870Oregon $62,870Colorado $62,830Vermont $62,400Nevada $62,380Maine $62,160District of Columbia $61,710Michigan $61,680Wisconsin $61,660New Hampshire $61,200Missouri $60,840Rhode Island $60,840Ohio $60,810New Mexico $59,720Pennsylvania $59,370Delaware $59,200Montana $58,820Arizona $58,580North Dakota $57,890Iowa $57,710Kansas $56,960Wyoming $56,850Virginia $55,690Kentucky $52,680Utah $52,360Idaho $52,000South Carolina $50,670Nebraska $50,320Louisiana $49,920Florida $49,870Georgia $49,350North Carolina $49,100Texas $48,900West Virginia $48,710Mississippi $48,650Alabama $48,220South Dakota $48,140Arkansas $47,760Oklahoma $46,910
Working as a Carpenter in Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($50,830) 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 Tennessee?
The median Carpenter salary in Tennessee is $50,830 per year, or about $24.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,460 at the entry level to $66,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Carpenters about 16% less than the national median of $60,580. Tennessee ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Carpenters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,830 a year. About 8,200 Carpenters are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Carpenter salary report
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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.