ConstructionUpdated Q1 2026

Carpenter Salary
in Worcester, MA

Build and repair wooden structures, frameworks, and fixtures in construction projects. Median salary in Worcester: $63K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$63K
per year
Take-home: $41K

Salary range in Worcester

Entry level (25th)$47,000
Median (50th)$63,000
Senior (75th)$83,000
Top earner (90th)$106,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Worcester, Massachusetts. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Worcester

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

13% premium vs national median

Carpenters in Worcester earn approximately 13% higher than the US national median for this role — a $7,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Worcester's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Worcester's cost-of-living index (120), the median Carpenter salary buys the equivalent of $52,500 in a US-average-cost city. That's $3,500 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Rent eats 52% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Worcester ($1,800/mo) consumes approximately 52% of an after-tax median Carpenter salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($83K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Worcester

Median salary
$63K
annual
Take-home pay
$41K
after fed/state tax
COL index
120
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,800
per month
YoY growth
+4%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Worcester Carpenter to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $63K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Worcester

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

HistoricalProjected
Carpenter salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$53K$58K$62K$67K$71K201920212023202520272029
2026
$65K
projected
2027
$66K
projected
2028
$68K
projected
2029
$70K
projected
2030
$71K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$63,000+$0
2028 projected$63,000+$0
2029 projected$63,000+$0
2030 projected$63,000+$0

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

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Carpenter Salary in Worcester, Massachusetts: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Carpenter salary in Worcester, MA is $63,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Worcester–MA 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 Worcester

Entry-level Carpenters in Worcester with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $47,000 and $63,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $63,000 to $83,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $83,000 to $106,000 or more.

Cost of living in Worcester for Carpenters

Worcester has a cost of living index of 120 compared to the US national average of 100. Worcester's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Massachusetts has a 5% 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
Worcester (current)$63K120
Boston$72K162
Springfield$59K105
Cambridge$104K185
Lowell$66K118