Carpenter Salary - Mountain West
Smaller markets with growing demand, Colorado and Nevada leading wages
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 Mountain West is a growing market for carpenters with Hawaii leading the region at $85,280 median -- though Hawaii is sometimes grouped with the Pacific Coast. Colorado at $62,830 and Nevada at $62,380 perform near the national median. Rapid population growth across Colorado, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada is driving construction demand that is beginning to push wages upward in major metro markets.
UBC regional councils have moderate presence in the Mountain West concentrated in major metros. Denver's carpenter locals cover a solid commercial market. Las Vegas has strong union presence driven by casino and resort construction. Salt Lake City has a growing UBC presence. Idaho and Montana are primarily non-union markets. Millwright work in the region's mining, energy, and manufacturing sectors creates a high-paying specialty track.
Cost of living in the Mountain West has risen with population growth. Colorado at 101.8 and Nevada at 100.7 are near the national average. Idaho at 101.7 has appreciated significantly. Montana at 105.9 reflects resort market appreciation. Utah at 100.6 is near average. Wyoming at 93.7 remains the most affordable market. For carpenters, Wyoming and Montana offer the best purchasing power relative to wages in the region.
- →Rapid residential and commercial construction across Denver, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Las Vegas
- →Casino and resort interior carpentry and millwork in Las Vegas
- →Semiconductor and manufacturing facility millwright work in Idaho and Colorado
- →Data center construction in Nevada and Colorado
- →Mining and energy sector millwright work across Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado
Las Vegas is the standout destination for traveling carpenters in the Mountain West. Casino and resort interior carpentry and millwork runs year-round and UBC locals regularly recruit travelers. Denver is active on commercial construction. Millwright travelers are in demand in the region's mining and energy sectors. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $62,830 +$2,250 vs. national | 101.8 | $61,719 +$1,139 vs. national |
| Nevada | $62,380 +$1,800 vs. national | 100.7 | $61,946 +$1,366 vs. national |
| Montana | $58,820 $-1,760 vs. national | 105.9 | $55,543 $-5,037 vs. national |
| Wyoming | $56,850 $-3,730 vs. national | 93.7 | $60,672 +$92 vs. national |
| Utah | $52,360 $-8,220 vs. national | 100.6 | $52,048 $-8,532 vs. national |
| Idaho | $52,000 $-8,580 vs. national | 101.7 | $51,131 $-9,449 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.