Carpenter salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A carpenter in California earns a median of $75,920 a year ($36.50/hour equivalent), 25.3% above the national median of $60,580. California ranks #3 of 51 states. About 100,750 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $58,405 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $2,246 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,920.00
- Federal income tax
- −$302.78
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$181.04
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$42.34
- California income tax
- −$109.55
- CA SDI
- −$37.96
- Take-home pay
- $2,246.33
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $75,920
- Federal
- $7,872
- FICA
- $5,808
- State + local
- $3,835
- Net
- $58,405
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 8.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii | $85,280 |
| #2 | Illinois | $79,000 |
| #3 | California | $75,920 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $75,200 |
| #5 | Washington | $74,190 |
| #49 | South Dakota | $48,140 |
| #50 | Arkansas | $47,760 |
| #51 | Oklahoma | $46,910 |
See the national carpenter salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Carpenters (SOC 47-2031), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in California?
The median salary is $75,920 a year and the average is $78,810 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for carpenters?
California ranks #3 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 25% above the national median of $60,580.
What is $75,920 after taxes in California?
About $58,405 a year ($2,246 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.