2024 Data

Carpenter Salary in Denver, CO: $63,939 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $30.74/hour | $43,157 - $89,403 range

Median Annual Salary

$63,939

9.8% vs national

Hourly Rate

$30.74

/hour

Jobs in Area

420

employed

Salary Range$43,157 - $89,403
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Denver, CO

$63,939

San Jose, CA

$82,394

$18,455 more (+28.9%)

in San Jose, CA

Carpenter Salary Range in Denver, CO

Annual Salary Range

$64k

$43k

10th percentile

$52k

25th

$77k

75th

$89k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$43,157$20.75
25th Percentile$52,109$25.05
Median (50th Percentile)$63,939$30.74
75th Percentile$76,922$36.98
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$89,403$42.98
Average (Mean)$70,150$33.73

Carpenter Market Insights for Denver, CO

Compensation Overview

Carpenter compensation in Denver, CO aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $43,157 to $89,403 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Denver, CO offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Colorado economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Cost of Living Impact

Cost of living adjustments reduce effective purchasing power by approximately 16% compared to national averages. When evaluating opportunities in Denver, CO, factor in higher expenses for housing and daily necessities.

Career Outlook

The Carpenter profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 107% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 40% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

+10%

vs National Avg

+7%

vs State Avg

107%

Salary Range

420

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Carpenter salary growth in Denver, CO based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$43,157

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$52,109

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$63,939

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$76,922

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$89,403

/year

Next Career Steps

Common career progressions from Carpenter:

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Carpenter Job Market in Denver, CO

Where Carpenters Work

Carpenters work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Denver, CO compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Denver, CO

  • Research major employers in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Colorado
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Denver, CO market rate of $63,939
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $43,157 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median carpenter salary in Denver, CO is $63,939 per year ($30.74/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $43,157 for entry-level positions to $89,403 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level carpenters in Denver, CO typically start at around $43,157 per year ($20.75/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $63,939 within 3-5 years.

Carpenters in Denver, CO earn a median hourly wage of $30.74 per hour. Hourly rates range from $20.75/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $42.98/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $43,157 and $89,403.

The median carpenter salary of $63,939 in Denver, CO is above the national median of $58,210 (9.8% higher). The cost of living is 18% above average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of carpenters in the area earn more and half earn less.

Carpenters in Denver, CO earn above the national average. The local median salary of $63,939 is 9.8% higher than the national median of $58,210. The cost of living is 18% above average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $54,003.

The top 10% of carpenters in Denver, CO earn $89,403 or more per year ($42.98/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $76,922, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost carpenter salary in Denver, CO include: Strong mathematical skills for measuring and calculating materials, Physical strength and stamina for demanding labor, Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination, Knowledge of building codes and safety practices. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $63,939, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($76,922) or higher. Specialization (finish carpentry, framing, cabinetry)

Denver, CO has a specialized job market for carpenters, with approximately 420 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $63,939 is above the national average. The cost of living is 18% above average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your carpenter salary to these Denver, CO benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $43,157, 25th percentile: $52,109, 50th percentile (median): $63,939, 75th percentile: $76,922, 90th percentile (top earners): $89,403. If you earn more than $63,939, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $63,939 median base salary, carpenters in Denver, CO typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced carpenters with 5-10 years in Denver, CO typically earn $76,922 (75th percentile) to $89,403 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $89,403. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $63,939.

Carpenters in Denver, CO can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($43,157) to median ($63,939) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($89,403) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $46,246 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Denver-Aurora-Lakewood

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

47-2031

SOC Classification

Sample Size

420

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Carpenter in Denver, CO

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Median: $63,939/yr

How Denver, CO Compares

vs National Average

$58,210

+9.8%

vs Colorado Average

$59,689

+7.1%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$54,003

-15.5%

Cost of living in Denver, CO is 18.4% above the national average.

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