Carpenters Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $59,940 +1.1% vs national
Median hourly $28.82
10th percentile $40,430
90th percentile $75,440
Employed locally 1,970
National median $59,310

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Carpenters
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,430
    25th
    $48,620
    50th (median)
    $59,940
    75th
    $71,030
    90th
    $75,440

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Carpenters salary vs area income 71% Median Carpenters salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Carpenters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Urban Honolulu, HI $94,090
    Hawaii $85,970
    Fairbanks-College, AK $83,120
    Oshkosh-Neenah, WI $82,760
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $82,280
    Janesville-Beloit, WI $81,370

    Nearby metros — Carpenters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $80,270
    Peoria, IL $77,980
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $74,940
    California $74,820
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $66,560
    District of Columbia $66,100

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $49,470
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $81,390
    Electricians $64,650
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $62,430
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $63,560
    Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers $57,170

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Carpenters make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Carpenters in Des Moines, IA is $28.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.86 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Carpenters salaries?

    The median Carpenters salary in Des Moines, IA is 1.1% above the national median of $59,310. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Carpenters in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Carpenters (10th percentile) earn around $40,430 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,620.