Carpenters Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $72,740 +22.6% vs national
Median hourly $34.97
10th percentile $47,230
90th percentile $102,580
Employed locally 610
National median $59,310

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Carpenters
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,230
    25th
    $57,670
    50th (median)
    $72,740
    75th
    $81,910
    90th
    $102,580

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Carpenters salary vs area income 67% Median Carpenters salary is 33% 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
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $81,210
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $80,950
    Decatur, IL $80,770
    Vallejo, CA $80,560
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $80,270
    Napa, CA $78,940

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $59,900
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $86,630
    Electricians $76,940
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $69,350
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $59,560
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $74,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Carpenters make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Carpenters in Santa Cruz, CA is $34.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $54.95 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Carpenters salaries?

    The median Carpenters salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 22.6% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Carpenters (10th percentile) earn around $47,230 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $57,670.