How much do carpenters make in Wisconsin in 2026?

The median carpenter in Wisconsin earns $61,660 a year, which works out to about $29.64 an hour based on a 2,080-hour work year. That's the middle of the pack — half of carpenters in the state earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or working in a slower market, expect pay closer to the 25th percentile of $49,750 ($23.92/hr). Experienced carpenters with strong specializations or in high-demand areas push toward the 75th percentile at $79,310 ($38.13/hr). All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025.

The gap between entry-level and experienced pay is significant. Moving from $49,750 to $79,310 is a $29,560 annual difference — nearly 60% more money. That spread reflects real differences in skill, specialization, and local market conditions, not just seniority. A carpenter who can read complex blueprints, run a crew, and work efficiently on commercial framing or finish work commands significantly more than one doing straightforward residential rough framing.

Geography within Wisconsin matters. The Milwaukee metro area, which includes Waukesha and surrounding counties, tends to support higher wages due to a denser construction market and more commercial and industrial work. Madison, driven by institutional and university construction, is another market where carpenter wages trend upward. Smaller metros like Green Bay, Racine, and Appleton offer steady residential work but often pay closer to or below the state median. Rural areas typically see the lowest rates and the most seasonal variability.

Seasonality is a real factor for Wisconsin carpenters. Outdoor construction work slows significantly from November through March in most parts of the state. Workers who plan their year around this — banking hours and overtime in the warmer months — can offset the winter slowdown, but those months can still squeeze annual income. Carpenters who move into interior finish work, cabinetry, or commercial tenant improvement are better positioned to stay busy through cold months.

Specialization is one of the clearest paths to higher pay. Carpenters who develop expertise in concrete formwork, structural steel attachment, millwork and finish carpentry, or commercial interior framing often earn toward the top of the range. Hospital and educational facility construction in Wisconsin is active and tends to pay more due to the complexity and scheduling demands of occupied-building work.

Overtime adds up. A carpenter at the median $29.64/hr earns $44.46/hr at time-and-a-half. Even modest overtime — say, 200 extra hours a year — adds roughly $8,900 to annual earnings. During busy project cycles, weekly overtime is common on commercial jobs, and that's where the real difference between a $61,000 year and a $70,000+ year gets made.

Apprenticeship is the standard entry path for carpenters in Wisconsin. Apprentices typically earn a percentage of journeyman scale that increases over time — starting around 50–60% and stepping up as they complete training hours and related instruction. That means a first-year apprentice might earn in the low-to-mid $20s per hour, while a graduating fourth-year apprentice is much closer to full journeyman pay. Completing an apprenticeship typically results in wages near or above the state median right out of the gate.

Some carpenters in Wisconsin work under union agreements, and their wages are governed by the collective bargaining agreement in effect for their area. If you're in a union, check your local's current agreement directly — it will specify your rate by classification and step. If you're a non-union carpenter, your pay is set by your employer and your ability to negotiate, which makes it especially important to know what the market rate actually is.

TradesPays publishes pay data for carpenters and other skilled trades workers across all 50 states so you know what the numbers look like before you walk into any conversation about pay.