How much do carpenters make in Tennessee in 2026?

The median carpenter in Tennessee earns $50,830 a year, which works out to about $24.44 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the midpoint — half of Tennessee carpenters earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or working for a smaller residential outfit, you're more likely near the 25th percentile at $46,520 a year ($22.37/hr). Experienced finish carpenters, lead framers, and those running crews regularly land at the 75th percentile of $59,900 a year ($28.80/hr).

The spread between the bottom quarter and the top quarter is about $13,380 a year — roughly $6.43 more per hour. That gap is real money, and it comes down to a few specific things: specialty, experience, and where in Tennessee you're working.

Specialty matters a lot for carpenters. Rough framers and form carpenters tend to cluster in the middle of the range. Finish carpenters — the ones doing cabinetry, trim, and millwork — often push toward the upper quartile because that work demands precision and is harder to replace with a newer hire. Commercial carpenters on larger projects like office builds, hospitals, and school construction frequently earn more than residential crews because the scope is bigger and schedules are tighter.

Geography within Tennessee shifts pay noticeably. The Nashville metro has seen sustained construction activity that keeps demand for carpenters high. Memphis and Knoxville also offer more commercial work than smaller markets. Rural counties in East Tennessee or the western part of the state tend to run closer to the 25th percentile, partly because residential projects dominate and volume isn't as high.

Overtime is a real factor in this trade. Construction schedules get compressed, and carpenters on commercial projects often log 50-plus hours a week during busy stretches. At the median base rate of $24.44/hr, a 10-hour overtime week adds roughly $366 in gross pay at time-and-a-half. Workers who consistently hit overtime can push their annual take-home well above the BLS figures, which are based on straight-time equivalent wages.

Tennessee does not require a statewide carpenter's license for most residential framing work, but commercial projects often require workers to operate under a licensed general or specialty contractor. Some jurisdictions have local requirements, so it's worth checking with the city or county before taking on permit-required work independently.

Some carpenters in Tennessee work under a collective bargaining agreement. If that applies to you, your wage scale and benefit contributions are set by your local's agreement — check that document directly for your exact rate and any premium pay provisions.

Apprenticeships are a well-worn path into the trade here. Registered apprenticeship programs typically run four years and combine on-the-job hours with related technical instruction. Apprentice pay usually starts around 50–60% of the journeyman rate and steps up as you progress. Completing an apprenticeship and earning journeyman status is one of the clearest ways to move from the 25th to the 75th percentile over the course of a career.

The BLS OEWS figures used here are employer-reported wages and represent base pay. They do not capture the value of employer-paid health insurance, pension contributions, paid time off, or per-diem travel pay — all of which show up in some carpenter jobs, particularly on union or large commercial projects. Total compensation can meaningfully exceed the wage figures alone.

To move your pay higher, the most direct levers are specialization in finish work or commercial framing, picking up a foreman role, relocating to a higher-demand market like Nashville, or completing an apprenticeship if you haven't already. Carpenters who can read blueprints, use estimating software, and manage small crews are consistently the ones landing at the top of the range.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.