California median pay
$75,920 a year
National median
$60,580
Carpenters in California
About 138,400
Openings per year
About 11,040
Carpenters frame houses, build forms for concrete, hang doors and cabinets, and finish interiors. California is one of the best states for the trade: it employs more than 138,000 carpenters, pays them about $15,000 more than the national median, and expects about 11,000 openings a year.
Union or non-union: the big question
From the dean’s desk
Union or non-union is always the question, because you’re talking about credentials, and credentials help with pay.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation & Apprenticeship
Here’s why credentials matter so much in California. On many public projects, state law requires a “skilled and trained workforce,” meaning every worker is either a registered apprentice or a skilled journeyperson, and a set share of journeypersons (60% for most trades since 2020) must be graduates of a state-approved apprenticeship. Finishing an approved apprenticeship qualifies you for that work.
- Union apprenticeships: the Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California and the Southwest Carpenters training programs in Southern California run state-approved apprenticeships with paid on-the-job training, classes and benefits.
- Non-union apprenticeships: some contractor associations and employers also sponsor state-approved programs. Ask whether a program is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS).
- Working without an apprenticeship: you can learn on the job with a non-union contractor, but you may hit a ceiling on pay and on which projects you can work.
New openings are posted every week on our California apprenticeship openings tracker.
What carpenters earn in California
California carpenters earned a median of $75,920 in May 2025, compared with $60,580 nationally. The top 10% earned about $120,000 or more.
| Area | Median pay (May 2025) | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont | $89,200 | $42.89 |
| San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara | $80,190 | $38.55 |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom | $74,440 | $35.79 |
| San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad | $73,200 | $35.19 |
| Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario | $70,880 | $34.08 |
| Bakersfield–Delano | $66,540 | $31.99 |
| Fresno | $63,470 | $30.52 |
| California overall | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| United States | $60,580 | $29.12 |
Carpentry jobs in California are projected to grow about 6% from 2024 to 2034.
Steps to become a carpenter in California
1
Finish high school or a GED
Math, shop and drafting classes help, and many apprenticeships require a diploma.
2
Decide union or non-union
Compare pay, benefits and whether the apprenticeship is state-approved.
3
Apply to an apprenticeship
Watch for application windows and be ready with your documents.
4
Work and attend classes
Apprentices earn wages that rise as they progress.
5
Graduate as a journeyperson
Your apprenticeship certificate is the credential that opens more projects and higher pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do carpenters need a license in California?
Individual carpenters don’t need a state license to work for a contractor. Contractors who bid jobs need a license from the Contractors State License Board.
How much do carpenters make in California?
The median was $75,920 a year in May 2025, and $89,200 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Is a union apprenticeship worth it?
For many people, yes. A state-approved apprenticeship gives you a credential that counts on public projects and usually comes with benefits. Non-union approved programs can offer the same credential.
Sources
- California Public Contract Code 2601: Skilled and trained workforce
- California Division of Apprenticeship Standards
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Carpenters
- O*NET OnLine: Carpenter wages and outlook in California (BLS OEWS May 2025)
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