How much does a carpenter helper make?
a year · about $21 an hour
A typical carpenter helper in the United States makes $43,780 a year, about $21 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They bring the carpenter boards and tools, hold materials in place, and clear the work area. On some sites, they help move and set forms that give poured concrete its shape.
Did you know? In U.S. job statistics, carpenter apprentices are counted under the skilled carpenter trade—not as carpenter helpers.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $31,660 and $57,670How do you become one?
In the US, no special schooling is usually needed, and carpenter helpers typically learn on the job; some employers prefer a high-school diploma or GED. Employers may also require OSHA-guideline safety training or a driver's license.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, helpers with more experience or credentials that employers value may earn more. Pay can also differ by employer, location, type of project, and the hours or shifts worked.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($49,890), lowest in Nevada ($36,230).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $31,660 | $43,780 | $57,670 | about 22,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $49,890 | about 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $48,130 | about 630 |
| New York | $47,740 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $46,060 | about 620 |
| Ohio | $44,760 | about 540 |
Official definition: Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment. Construction laborers who do not primarily assist carpenters are classified under “Construction Laborers” (47-2061). Apprentice workers are classified with the appropriate skilled construction trade occupation (47-2011 through 47-2231).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-3012.00
- www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/construction-laborers-and-helpers.ht
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes473012.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/careers/occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keywor
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY