Pick a trade and state to see real hourly rates.
Last updated September 23, 2026. Rates are market estimates, not guarantees.
Pick a trade and state to see real hourly rates.
Last updated September 23, 2026. Rates are market estimates, not guarantees.
Salary Guides / District of Columbia
Discover D.C. carpenter hourly rates, annual salaries, certifications, and factors affecting earning potential.
Carpenters in the District of Columbia build, install, repair, and finish structures across residential, commercial, and public construction projects. Latest BLS data puts D.C. carpenter wages at $23.00–$38.81 per hour, or approximately $47,840–$80,720 annually from the 10th to 90th percentile. The median carpenter earns $29.67 per hour, equivalent to $61,710 annually. D.C. wages are influenced by experience, project type, employer, and whether work falls under prevailing-wage requirements. Federal construction projects can carry substantially different compensation because prevailing-wage rules may apply.
Rates typically increase with experience, skills, and responsibility.
Enter your hourly rate to see how it compares to other carpenters in District of Columbia.
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$28.00 is above roughly 46% of this market. The top quarter starts at $36.00, and the median sits at $29.00.
Pick your level, add certifications, select shift — the estimate updates live.
An estimate, not an offer. Overtime is paid at time and a half past forty hours.
Commercial, federal, and specialty projects lead D.C. wages.
Federal construction and public projects can operate under prevailing-wage requirements with higher compensation structures.
Office buildings, retail developments, hotels, and major commercial projects create opportunities for experienced carpenters.
Hospitals, schools, universities, and government facilities require skilled carpentry across new builds and renovations.
D.C.'s historic properties create demand for carpenters skilled in restoration, preservation, trim, and traditional construction methods.
Renovations, additions, interior improvements, and property upgrades provide steady opportunities across the District.
rim, doors, cabinets, stairs, and detailed interior installations reward precision and advanced craftsmanship.
Median hourly across every state with a published guide for this trade. Cost of living is not netted out — compare take-home, not just the rate.
Sorted by payback speed.
| Certification | Rate bump | Extra / year | Cost | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA 10 | +$0.25 | $520 | $60 | 2 weeks |
| OSHA 30 | +$0.50 | $1,040 | $150 | 8 weeks |
| NCCER Carpentry Level 1 | +$0.75 | $1,560 | $120 | 8 weeks |
| NCCER Carpentry Level 2 | +$1 | $2,080 | $120 | 10 weeks |
| Flagger Certification | +$0.75 | $1,560 | $50 | 2 weeks |
| CPR / First Aid / AED | +$0.50 | $1,040 | $75 | 4 weeks |
Past forty hours the rate is time and a half. Built from the rate above. At $29.67/hr.
Verified positions matching this trade and location.