Carpenter Salary - Mid-Atlantic
Major metro markets drive some of the highest wages in the country
Wage figures reflect all carpenters across all employment types -- union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the state median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it. State figures are averages -- wages vary significantly between metro and rural markets within the same state. City-level data coming soon.
The Mid-Atlantic is the highest-paying region on the East Coast for carpenters, driven by New York City and Northern Virginia. New York leads the region with a median of $72,330, reflecting NYC's strong UBC presence. New Jersey at $64,010 and DC at $61,710 also perform above the national median. The region's dense commercial construction and renovation market creates consistent high-value demand for commercial interior and structural carpenters.
UBC regional councils dominate commercial carpentry across the Mid-Atlantic. New York City's UBC locals are among the most powerful and highest-paying in North America. New Jersey benefits from proximity to the NYC market. DC and Maryland have strong union presence on commercial projects. Philadelphia UBC covers a large geographic jurisdiction. Outside the major metros union density drops considerably but commercial and institutional projects remain predominantly union.
Cost of living in the Mid-Atlantic is the highest on the East Coast. New York at 124.7 COL and DC at 134.3 are among the most expensive markets in the country. New Jersey at 118.8 and Maryland at 121.1 are also well above average. Delaware at 101.7 and Pennsylvania at 96.2 offer the best value in the region. The wage premium in NYC is significant but housing costs are extreme -- net purchasing power for carpenters varies widely depending on where they live.
- →Commercial office and mixed-use construction in New York City driving consistent high-value interior carpentry demand
- →Federal government facility renovation and construction across the DC metro
- →Data center and commercial construction in Northern Virginia
- →Healthcare and institutional construction across the region requiring precision interior carpentry
- →Historic renovation and adaptive reuse projects across Philadelphia, Baltimore, and DC
The Mid-Atlantic is a top-paying destination for traveling carpenters. NYC UBC locals pay some of the highest scale rates in the country but have strict reciprocity requirements -- verify local agreements before making the trip. DC and Northern Virginia are more accessible for travelers. Millwright travelers are in demand in the region's industrial and data center markets. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current openings.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living -- what your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $72,330 +$11,750 vs. national | 124.7 | $58,003 $-2,577 vs. national |
| New Jersey | $64,010 +$3,430 vs. national | 118.8 | $53,880 $-6,700 vs. national |
| Maryland | $62,960 +$2,380 vs. national | 121.1 | $51,990 $-8,590 vs. national |
| District of Columbia | $61,710 +$1,130 vs. national | 134.3 | $45,949 $-14,631 vs. national |
| Pennsylvania | $59,370 $-1,210 vs. national | 96.2 | $61,715 +$1,135 vs. national |
| Delaware | $59,200 $-1,380 vs. national | 101.7 | $58,210 $-2,370 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Carpenters - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.