How much do carpenters charge per hour?
Ashburn, VA

How much do carpenters charge per hour?

Ashburn, VA

How much do carpenters charge per hour?

$30 – $100hourly rate for standard carpenter
$100 – $200cost per hour for master carpenter

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$30 – $100 hourly rate for standard carpenter

$100 – $200 cost per hour for master carpenter


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Jennifer Carlson
Written by
Jennifer Carlson
Edited by
Kristen Cramer

Carpenter hourly rates

A carpenter’s hourly rates are $30 to $100 per hour for a standard self-employed carpenter and $100 to $200 per hour for a skilled master carpenter. Framing, trim, and finish carpenters perform different services and vary in price. The average salary for a carpenter is $35,000 to $100,000 per year.

Carpenter hourly rates - Chart
Carpenter hourly rates - Chart
Carpenter hourly rates
Title Billed hourly rate Experience
Standard self-employed carpenter $30 – $100 3 – 4+ years
Master carpenter $100 – $200 10 – 15+ years

*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Get free estimates from carpenters near you.

Average cost to hire a carpenter per hour

The cost to hire a carpenter depends on the project and carpenter type, as shown in the table below.

Average cost per hour to hire a carpenter - Chart
Average cost per hour to hire a carpenter - Chart
Average cost to hire a carpenter
Type Billed cost per hour Typical projects
Finish carpenter $40 – $100 Cabinets, floors, shelves, furniture
Trim carpenter $30 – $70 Trim or molding on cabinets, windows, doors
Framing carpenter $20 – $60 Home, roof, or joist frames

The following factors may affect your costs:

  • Skill level – Carpenters and millwork companies with more experience tend to charge more regardless of the project.

  • Union vs. non-union – Union and non-union carpenters typically charge similar rates. Prices depend more on experience and project type than union membership.

  • Subcontractor – Carpenters hired by general contractors may cost more than direct hires.

  • Travel fees – Carpenters may charge a fee for travel time for projects outside their standard service area.

Finish carpenter hourly rates

Finish carpenters charge $40 to $100 per hour, depending on experience. Common finishing projects include custom cabinets, wood flooring, doors, built-in shelves, stairways, and custom furniture.

Framing carpenter cost per hour

A framing carpenter costs $20 to $60 per hour and is also known as a rough carpenter or framer. This type of carpenter builds wooden frames for roofs, walls, and joists.

A carpenter cutting wood studs for framing.
A carpenter cutting wood studs for framing.

Trim carpenter charges

A trim carpenter charges $30 to $70 per hour and is often subcontracted by a finish carpenter to complete the trim on custom projects. This includes crown molding and trim around windows, doors, cabinets, or baseboards.

Carpentry work price guide

Carpentry prices by project
Project Average cost
Build staircase $1,000 – $5,000
Built-in bookshelf $2,000 – $7,500
Cabinet repair $120 – $600
Crown molding installation $670 – $1,700
Custom cabinetry $15,000 – $30,000
Custom closet $1,500 – $4,500
Deck installation $4,400 – $10,100
Deck or porch repair $500 – $2,500
Door frame replacement $110 – $380
Framing a basement $2,300 – $6,000
Framing a whole house $22,000 – $60,000
Framing a roof $9,000 – $37,500
Framing a wall $1,000 – $5,000
Framing a partition wall $300 – $3,600
Install gazebo $8,600 – $14,400
Install support beam $1,200 – $4,200
Pergola installation $4,300 – $9,400
Roof truss installation $7,500 – $35,000
Subfloor replacement $440 – $7,100
Trim installation or repair $400 – $2,000

Carpenter labor rates by wage type

Carpenters charge $30 to $200 per hour depending on their skill level, or $5 to $15 per square foot on some projects. Most carpenters charge a $50 to $400 minimum fee, even for a short visit.

Get free estimates from carpenters near you.
Carpenter rates by type
Wage type Average rate
Per hour $30 – $200
Per day $240 – $1,600
Per square foot $5 – $15
Minimum charge $50 – $400

Frequently asked questions

What does a carpenter do?

A carpenter designs and shapes wood structures. This includes home framing, decks, gazebos, cabinets, or furniture.

How much do carpenters make?

A carpenter makes $35,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on their skill level, experience, and specialty. Master carpenters make more than standard or apprentice carpenters.

Getting estimates from carpenters

When hiring a carpenter near you, remember to:

  • Get at least 3 itemized estimates to compare.

  • Have a carpenter take measurements in person.

  • Select a licensed, insured, and bonded carpenter that has been in business for 5+ years.

  • Browse reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

  • Get a contract and warranty in writing before work begins.

  • Avoid the lowest quote, which may indicate low-quality materials or workmanship.

  • Never pay in full before the project begins.

Questions to ask

Asking the right questions can help you find the best contractor for your project:

  • How many carpentry projects have you worked on?

  • Can you give me references with contact information?

  • Do you have a portfolio with recent photos I can review?

  • Do you charge a fee for in-home estimates? If so, do you apply it to the final price?

  • Does the estimate include materials, labor, and cleanup?

  • How long will this project take?

  • Can I stay in my home during the job?

  • Do you offer a warranty? If so, what does it include?