Carpenter Salary - Pacific Coast
Oregon and Washington lead the nation, California adds volume
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 Pacific Coast is the highest-paying region for carpenters in the country. Hawaii leads at $85,280 median followed by California at $75,920 and Washington at $74,190. Strong UBC presence, dense commercial construction, and active millwright markets drive wages well above the national median. Oregon at $62,870 and Alaska at $73,860 round out a consistently high-wage region.
UBC regional councils dominate commercial carpentry across the Pacific Coast. Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii are among the most unionized construction markets in the country for carpentry. California is mixed -- heavily unionized in major metros, less so in rural markets. The region's tech and life sciences construction boom has created strong demand for precision interior carpenters and millwrights. Alaska maintains strong union contracts driven by cost of living and remote project demands.
Cost of living is the significant caveat on Pacific Coast carpenter wages. California at 140.5 COL significantly offsets the wage premium -- a $75,920 median in California buys less than a $62,000 median in Indiana when housing costs are factored in. Washington at 114.6 and Oregon at 109.6 are above average. Hawaii at 184.8 is the most extreme market in the country. Alaska at 129.0 is also very expensive. Travelers should run the numbers carefully before committing to the Pacific Coast.
- →Tech and life sciences facility interior carpentry and millwork across Seattle, Portland, and the Bay Area
- →Commercial office and mixed-use construction across Pacific Coast metros
- →Semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing facility millwright work in Oregon and Washington
- →Resort and hospitality construction in Hawaii driving demand for finish and millwork carpenters
- →Data center construction in the Pacific Northwest requiring precision millwright installation
The Pacific Coast is one of the best regions for traveling carpenters and millwrights. Washington and Oregon UBC locals pay strong scale rates and actively recruit travelers for major commercial and industrial projects. Hawaii offers exceptional wages but the remoteness and cost of living require careful consideration. Alaska offers strong per diem for travelers willing to work remote locations. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro before making the trip.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 +$24,700 vs. national | 184.8 | $46,147 $-14,433 vs. national |
| California | $75,920 +$15,340 vs. national | 140.5 | $54,036 $-6,544 vs. national |
| Washington | $74,190 +$13,610 vs. national | 114.6 | $64,738 +$4,158 vs. national |
| Alaska | $73,860 +$13,280 vs. national | 129.0 | $57,256 $-3,324 vs. national |
| Oregon | $62,870 +$2,290 vs. national | 109.6 | $57,363 $-3,217 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.