Carpenter Salary in Seattle
Metro area wage data for carpenters from the BLS OEWS program, May 2025.
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 area median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it.
The Northwest Carpenters Institute and Washington prevailing wage anchor a strong union carpenter market in Seattle.
Seattle-area carpentry work is trained through the Northwest Carpenters Institute (NWCI) in Renton, serving the Pacific Northwest region. Washington State's prevailing wage law applies to public construction, and the metro's sustained tech sector buildout and dense urban commercial construction keep demand consistently above supply.
- →Northwest Carpenters Institute (NWCI) — serves Pacific Northwest region
- →Washington State Prevailing Wage Act on public projects
- →Tech sector and commercial construction driving consistent demand
UBC Local 131 journeyman carpenter Journey-Level Rate
Union scale reflects the UBC Local 131 journeyman carpenter journey-level rate under the current collective bargaining agreement. The BLS area median reflects all carpenters across all employment types and experience levels.
| Training Center | Northwest Carpenters Institute (NWCI) — Seattle/Tacoma Training Center |
| Address | 3000 NE 4th Street, Bldg L, Renton, WA 98056 |
| Phone | (425) 235-2465 |
| Minimum Score | No minimum |
Applying to UBC Local 131?
The aptitude test is required for all applicants to UBC Local 131. See what to expect and how to prepare.
What to expect →All carpenters — union and non-union, all experience levels
All carpenters — union and non-union, all experience levels. Wage figures only, employer-paid benefits, pension contributions, and health and welfare are not included.
| Annual Median Wage | $76,410 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $84,060 |
| Hourly Median Wage | $36.74 |
| Hourly Mean Wage | $40.42 |
| Total Employed | 14,970 |
| Area Type | Metropolitan Area |
Journey-level rates sourced directly from local collective bargaining agreements across the country's major construction markets. Union density and market conditions vary significantly by region.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - SOC 47-2031 (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.