Carpenter pay in Chicago, IL
Carpenters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a typical $80,440 a year. The middle half earn $58,770 to $113,970, and the top 10% earn more than $118,450. About 14,220 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Carpenters, SOC 47-2031).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $41,220 |
| 25th percentile | $58,770 |
| Median (typical) | $80,440 |
| 75th percentile | $113,970 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $118,450 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 2 of 50 large metros for carpenters before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $80,440, a single filer keeps about $61,600 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and Illinois state income tax. Prices in Chicago are 4% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $59,400 would in a typical US city. That ranks Chicago No. 1 of 50 large metros for carpenters after cost of living.
Where carpenters’ pay goes furthest
- St. Louis, MO$70,990 typical · worth $58.5k
- San Francisco, CA$89,200 typical · worth $58.4k
- Seattle, WA$76,410 typical · worth $56.3k
- San Jose, CA$80,190 typical · worth $56.2k
All 50 metros for carpenters →
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among carpenters in Chicago. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a carpenter make in Chicago, IL?
The typical (median) carpenter in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earns $80,440 a year. The middle half earn between $58,770 and $113,970, and the top 10% earn more than $118,450. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a carpenter in Chicago?
Anything above $80,440 pays more than half of carpenters in Chicago. $113,970 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $118,450 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a carpenter in Chicago take home after taxes?
At the typical $80,440, a single filer keeps about $61,600 a year ($5,130 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, Illinois state income tax. With local prices 4% above the US average, that buys what $59,400 would in a typical US city.
Where do carpenters get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical carpenter pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in St. Louis, MO, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA. Chicago, IL ranks No. 1.
More: Carpenter pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Chicago, IL
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.