How much do carpenters make in Texas in 2026?

The median carpenter in Texas earns $48,900 a year, which works out to about $23.51 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That number comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for May 2025 and covers carpenters across all sectors — residential framing, commercial finish work, form carpentry, and everything in between.

The spread between the bottom and top of the middle range tells you more than the median alone. Carpenters at the 25th percentile — meaning roughly a quarter of workers earn less — take home $44,690 a year, about $21.49 an hour. At the 75th percentile, pay climbs to $57,780 annually, or around $27.78 an hour. That $13,090 gap between the 25th and 75th percentile reflects real differences in experience, specialty, employer size, and which part of Texas you're working in.

Texas is a big state with very different labor markets inside it. The Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex has been running heavy commercial and multifamily construction for years, which tends to push wages toward the upper end of the range. Houston's market is driven partly by industrial and petrochemical construction, where form carpenters and concrete specialists can command stronger rates. Austin's residential boom has kept framing crews busy, but competition among subcontractors can keep wages tighter on the entry end. San Antonio sits somewhat below the DFW and Houston averages historically. If you're comparing offers across cities, don't assume the statewide median applies equally everywhere — local market conditions shift the numbers noticeably.

Experience moves the needle faster in carpentry than in some other trades because the skill gap between a first-year apprentice and a five-year journeyman is immediately visible on the job site. A new carpenter handling rough framing under supervision earns closer to the 25th percentile. Someone who can read blueprints independently, run a crew, and execute finish trim or complex form work without hand-holding is consistently earning at or above the 75th. That progression typically takes four to five years of full-time work.

Overtime is a real factor in Texas carpentry pay. During active construction cycles, 50-hour weeks are common for framing and commercial crews. At $23.51 straight time, a 10-hour overtime week adds roughly $352 in gross pay (10 hours at 1.5x, or about $35.27/hr). Over a full year of steady overtime, that can push take-home pay well above what the annual base salary figure suggests. BLS wage data is collected as a straight hourly or annual rate and does not account for overtime earnings, so workers consistently pulling overtime will out-earn the headline numbers.

Specialty work also separates pay levels within the trade. Finish carpenters doing cabinetry installation, custom millwork, or historic restoration typically earn more than production framers. Form carpenters on large commercial concrete pours are a different skill set again. If you're currently doing one type of carpentry work, adding certification or demonstrated experience in a higher-value specialty is a direct path to the 75th percentile and beyond.

Some Texas carpenters work under collective bargaining agreements. If your employer or job site falls under a union contract, your pay rate and benefit package are set by that agreement, not by the BLS state average. The statewide median doesn't reflect union scale specifically — if you're covered by a union contract, your wages and benefits are governed by your local agreement, and you should consult that document or your union rep directly for accurate figures.

Benefits vary widely by employer type. Large commercial general contractors and specialty subs often provide health insurance and, in some cases, retirement contributions. Smaller residential framing crews frequently pay higher straight wages but fewer benefits. When comparing job offers, factor in health coverage costs — a $2/hr wage difference can disappear quickly if one job requires you to buy your own insurance.

The BLS OEWS survey captures base wages reported by employers, but it doesn't pick up unreported cash pay, per diem allowances, tool allowances, or the value of employer-provided vehicle use — all of which show up on Texas job sites with some regularity. Workers who negotiate these add-ons on top of an hourly rate are effectively earning above what the survey reflects.