Carpenter Salary - Southeast
Large employment base, right-to-work states, wages near or below national median
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 Southeast is the largest employment region for carpenters in the country by headcount with California and Texas leading employment volume. However wages across the Southeast cluster near or below the national median. Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas all have large carpenter workforces driven by residential construction booms but right-to-work environments keep wages suppressed. Virginia is the notable exception pulled upward by the Northern Virginia market.
UBC union density is low across most of the Southeast. Right-to-work legislation dominates and non-union residential framing and finish work handles the majority of the market. UBC regional councils have limited commercial market share outside major metros. The exception is large commercial and institutional projects in major metros -- Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, and Northern Virginia -- where union contractors are more prevalent. Millwright work in the region's manufacturing facilities is more likely to involve UBC jurisdiction.
The Southeast offers the best cost of living in the country for carpenters. Tennessee at 88.9, Georgia at 90.6, and most Southeast states are well below the national average. The affordability advantage is significant -- a journeyman carpenter earning $50,830 in Tennessee has more purchasing power than many comparable wages on the coasts. Virginia at 99.1 is near the national average. Florida at 100.7 is near average but varies significantly by market.
- →Massive residential framing and finish work across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas
- →Commercial construction in Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, and Raleigh driven by population and corporate migration
- →Manufacturing facility construction across the Southeast's automotive and industrial corridor
- →Healthcare and institutional construction across major Southeast metros
- →Resort and hospitality construction in Florida driving demand for finish and millwork carpenters
The Southeast offers high work volume but wages below what travelers can earn in union markets. Commercial construction in Atlanta and Charlotte is the most active destination for traveling carpenters in the region. Millwright travelers are in demand in the region's growing manufacturing corridor. For travelers prioritizing steady work over top dollar, the Southeast has consistent demand year-round. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current commercial 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $55,690 $-4,890 vs. national | 99.1 | $56,196 $-4,384 vs. national |
| Kentucky | $52,680 $-7,900 vs. national | 92.5 | $56,951 $-3,629 vs. national |
| Tennessee | $50,830 $-9,750 vs. national | 88.9 | $57,177 $-3,403 vs. national |
| South Carolina | $50,670 $-9,910 vs. national | 91.9 | $55,136 $-5,444 vs. national |
| Louisiana | $49,920 $-10,660 vs. national | 91.1 | $54,797 $-5,783 vs. national |
| Florida | $49,870 $-10,710 vs. national | 100.7 | $49,523 $-11,057 vs. national |
| Georgia | $49,350 $-11,230 vs. national | 90.6 | $54,470 $-6,110 vs. national |
| North Carolina | $49,100 $-11,480 vs. national | 96.6 | $50,828 $-9,752 vs. national |
| West Virginia | $48,710 $-11,870 vs. national | 87.9 | $55,415 $-5,165 vs. national |
| Mississippi | $48,650 $-11,930 vs. national | 86.2 | $56,439 $-4,141 vs. national |
| Alabama | $48,220 $-12,360 vs. national | 85.0 | $56,729 $-3,851 vs. national |
| Arkansas | $47,760 $-12,820 vs. national | 89.1 | $53,603 $-6,977 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.