Carpenter Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$55,690
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $60,580
State Rank
#34 of 51
20,460 employed here

How much does a Carpenter make in Virginia?

Carpenters in Virginia take home a median of $55,690 annually — roughly $26.77 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $60,580.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $38,230 while the top 10% make $74,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,460 and $61,340 a year.

Carpenter salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,230$18.38
25th percentile (early career)$46,460$22.34
50th percentile (median)$55,690$26.77
75th percentile (experienced)$61,340$29.49
90th percentile (top earners)$74,250$35.70

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 34th 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($55,690) 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 Virginia?
The median Carpenter salary in Virginia is $55,690 per year, or about $26.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,230 at the entry level to $74,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Carpenters about 8% less than the national median of $60,580. Virginia ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Carpenters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $55,690 a year. About 20,460 Carpenters are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.