Carpenter Salary · Updated May 2026

Carpenter salary in Arkansas

The median carpenter salary in Arkansas is $47,760 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 21% below the national median of $60,580. Most carpenters in Arkansas earn between $36,400 and $70,550, and the state ranks #50 of 51 for carpenter pay.

Median

$47,760

Entry (10th)

$36,400

Top (90th)

$70,550

State rank

#50/51

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

Arkansas vs. the national average

PercentileArkansasNational
10th percentile (entry)$36,400$40,410
Median (50th)$47,760$60,580
90th percentile (top)$70,550$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 Arkansas: FAQ

How much does a carpenter make in Arkansas?
The median carpenter salary in Arkansas is $47,760 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 21% below the national median of $60,580. Most carpenters in the state earn between $36,400 and $70,550.
What is the starting salary for carpenters in Arkansas?
Entry-level carpenters in Arkansas — the bottom 10% — earn around $36,400 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top carpenters earn in Arkansas?
The highest-paid 10% of carpenters in Arkansas make about $70,550 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does Arkansas pay carpenters well?
Arkansas ranks #50 of 51 states and D.C. for carpenter pay, making it one of the lower-paying states for the trade. Its median of $47,760 is 21% below the U.S. median of $60,580.

Other trades in Arkansas

Electrician salary in Arkansas $49,070 Plumber salary in Arkansas $48,660 HVAC Technician salary in Arkansas $48,110 Roofer salary in Arkansas $47,470 Painter salary in Arkansas $40,090

Compare carpenters pay in every state

Hawaii $85,280 Illinois $79,000 California $75,920 Massachusetts $75,200 Washington $74,190 Alaska $73,860 New York $72,330 Minnesota $64,930 Connecticut $64,060 New Jersey $64,010 Maryland $62,960 Indiana $62,870 Oregon $62,870 Colorado $62,830 Vermont $62,400 Nevada $62,380 Maine $62,160 District of Columbia $61,710 Michigan $61,680 Wisconsin $61,660 New Hampshire $61,200 Missouri $60,840 Rhode Island $60,840 Ohio $60,810 New Mexico $59,720 Pennsylvania $59,370 Delaware $59,200 Montana $58,820 Arizona $58,580 North Dakota $57,890 Iowa $57,710 Kansas $56,960 Wyoming $56,850 Virginia $55,690 Kentucky $52,680 Utah $52,360 Idaho $52,000 Tennessee $50,830 South Carolina $50,670 Nebraska $50,320 Louisiana $49,920 Florida $49,870 Georgia $49,350 North Carolina $49,100 Texas $48,900 West Virginia $48,710 Mississippi $48,650 Alabama $48,220 South Dakota $48,140 Oklahoma $46,910

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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.