Carpenter Salary · Updated May 2026

Carpenter salary in Arizona

The median carpenter salary in Arizona is $58,580 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 3% below the national median of $60,580. Most carpenters in Arizona earn between $38,830 and $75,950, and the state ranks #29 of 51 for carpenter pay.

Median

$58,580

Entry (10th)

$38,830

Top (90th)

$75,950

State rank

#29/51

Annual wages, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Arizona vs. the national average

PercentileArizonaNational
10th percentile (entry)$38,830$40,410
Median (50th)$58,580$60,580
90th percentile (top)$75,950$99,910

For context, the highest-paying state for carpenters is Hawaii ($85,280 median) and the lowest is Oklahoma ($46,910).

Licensing & taxes for carpenters

Carpentry is rarely licensed at the individual level — only about 22 states regulate it directly. Far more common is a general contractor license required once a job exceeds a set dollar threshold, so most self-employed carpenters need a contractor license to bid larger work.

Whether you charge sales tax on your labor depends on the state and the type of job. Several states tax services by default, and many distinguish a real-property improvement (often not taxed to the customer) from a repair of tangible property (often taxed). This isn't tax advice — confirm with your state revenue department.

For the full state-by-state licensing, reciprocity, and sales-tax breakdown, see the carpenter salary & licensing guide.

Carpenter pay in Arizona: FAQ

How much does a carpenter make in Arizona?
The median carpenter salary in Arizona is $58,580 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 3% below the national median of $60,580. Most carpenters in the state earn between $38,830 and $75,950.
What is the starting salary for carpenters in Arizona?
Entry-level carpenters in Arizona — the bottom 10% — earn around $38,830 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top carpenters earn in Arizona?
The highest-paid 10% of carpenters in Arizona make about $75,950 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does Arizona pay carpenters well?
Arizona ranks #29 of 51 states and D.C. for carpenter pay, making it a middle-of-the-pack states for the trade. Its median of $58,580 is 3% below the U.S. median of $60,580.

Other trades in Arizona

Compare carpenters pay in every state

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS OEWS, May 2025, via the BLS public API (SOC 47-2031). Wages are annual and vary by experience, licensing, certification, and local demand. See all carpenters by state or trade salaries by state.