ConstructionUpdated Q1 2026

Carpenter Salary
in Erie, PA

Build and repair wooden structures, frameworks, and fixtures in construction projects. Median salary in Erie: $45K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$45K
per year
Take-home: $30K

Salary range in Erie

Entry level (25th)$34,000
Median (50th)$45,000
Senior (75th)$59,000
Top earner (90th)$76,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Erie, Pennsylvania. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

Help build this dataset. Add your own Carpenter salary so other workers in Erie have better numbers to work with.
Submit yours β†’

What the numbers say for Erie

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

20% discount vs national median

Carpenters in Erie earn approximately 20% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $11,000 discount on annual base salary. Erie's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 80 (US avg = 100).

Rent eats 38% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Erie ($950/mo) consumes approximately 38% of an after-tax median Carpenter salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($59K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Primarily on-site role

Only 2% of Carpenter positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Erie salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Erie

Median salary
$45K
annual
Take-home pay
$30K
after fed/state tax
COL index
80
100 = US avg
State income tax
3.07%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$950
per month
YoY growth
+4%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Erie Carpenter to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $45K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Erie

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Carpenter salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$38K$41K$45K$48K$51K201920212023202520272029
2026
$46K
projected
2027
$47K
projected
2028
$48K
projected
2029
$50K
projected
2030
$51K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$45,000+$0
2028 projected$45,000+$0
2029 projected$45,000+$0
2030 projected$45,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

Full salary breakdown & negotiation guide

Unlock the full salary report + negotiation email template

Enter your email for free access. We'll send salary market updates β€” unsubscribe anytime.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Carpenter Salary in Erie, Pennsylvania: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Carpenter salary in Erie, PA is $45,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Erie–PA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Carpenter in Erie

Entry-level Carpenters in Erie with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $34,000 and $45,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $45,000 to $59,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $59,000 to $76,000 or more.

Cost of living in Erie for Carpenters

Erie has a cost of living index of 80 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 20% further in Erie than the national average. Pennsylvania has a 3.07% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Carpenter

Apprenticeship; journeyman license. 2% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Carpenter salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Erie (current)$45K80
Philadelphia$62K110
Pittsburgh$55K90
Allentown$53K95