How much should a self-employed carpenter charge per hour?

Author: Emmanuel O'Conner Sr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, February 4, 2026

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.

How much does a self-employed carpenter charge per hour?

The carpenter cost per hour is between $30 to $200 per hour, with an average cost of $75 to $125 per hour. This price will vary based on several factors, including the carpenter's specialty, level of expertise, project type, and more.

What is the hourly rate for a commercial carpenter?

Commercial carpenter salaries typically range between $35,000 and $61,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for commercial carpenters is $22.39 per hour. Commercial carpenter salary is impacted by location, education, and experience. Commercial carpenters earn the highest average salary in California.

How do you quote carpentry work?

Step-by-Step Guide to Quoting Carpentry Jobs
  1. Assess the Project Scope. Begin by gathering detailed information about the project. ...
  2. Calculate Material Costs. ...
  3. Estimate Labour Costs. ...
  4. Include Overheads and Miscellaneous Expenses. ...
  5. Add Your Profit Margin. ...
  6. Prepare and Present a Professional Quote.

What should I charge for carpentry work?

On average, general carpenters charge $60-$70 per hour but prices can range anywhere from $40-$126 per hour, according to Thumbtack data.

How much should you charge? Hourly rates if you're self employed!

How do you calculate carpentry?

To calculate the carpentry cost, measure the length (in feet) or area (sq. ft) of the carpentry work need to be done and multiply by its unit price.

What is the highest paid carpenter per hour?

Highest paying cities for Carpenters near United States
  • Seattle, WA. $32.90 per hour. 137 salaries reported.
  • Honolulu, HI. $32.33 per hour.
  • Chicago, IL. $27.61 per hour. 58 salaries reported.
  • St. Louis, MO. $27.13 per hour. 93 salaries reported.
  • Philadelphia, PA. $24.90 per hour.
  • Show more nearby cities.

How much does a contractor charge per hour?

General contractors charge a 10% to 20% fee percentage of construction costs for large projects and a fixed, daily, or hourly rate for small jobs. Contractor hourly rates are $50 to $150 per hour on average. General contractor pricing depends on the labor and material costs, project size, and location.

Can I make 100k as a carpenter?

Journeyman carpenters have the potential to earn up to $100,000 a year to help secure their family's financial future.

How much does a handyman charge per hour?

Most handymen charge between $50 and $80 per hour, making an average of $150 to $600 per job. Rates depend on their specialty, experience, level of education, and whether the handyman is insured, requires specialized equipment, or services rural locations.

What type of carpenter makes the most money?

High Paying Carpentry Jobs
  • Millwork Project Manager. Salary range: $67,000-$85,500 per year. ...
  • Carpenter Foreman. Salary range: $55,000-$69,000 per year. ...
  • Journeyman Carpenter. Salary range: $52,500-$68,500 per year. ...
  • Master Carpenter. ...
  • Residential Carpenter. ...
  • Finish Carpenter. ...
  • Form Setter. ...
  • Rough Carpenter.

Is carpentry a dying trade?

The Bureau of Labors Statistics projects the demand for carpenters to rise 2 percent through 2031.

How much should I charge per hour?

Desired profit amount + desired salary + operating costs / number of income producing hours = your hourly rate. For example: Desired profit of $16,500 + desired personal pre-tax salary of $83,500 + operating costs of $30,000/1040 income generating hours = $125 per hour.

What is a freelance carpenter?

A freelance carpenter works part-time or full-time as an independent contractor. They find their clients and purchase their own equipment and materials. While freelance carpenters do take on contract work for companies, they are ultimately self-employed.

How much does a carpenter charge per hour?

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.

How much should I charge as an independent contractor?

As an independent contractor, you should charge based on your skill level, experience, and the complexity of the project. Research industry standards and consider factors like overhead costs and desired profit margin. Typically, hourly rates can range from $50 to $150 or more, depending on your field.

How to charge labor cost?

Calculate an employee's labor cost per hour by adding their gross wages to the total cost of related expenses (including annual payroll taxes and annual overhead), then dividing by the number of hours the employee works each year. This will help determine how much an employee costs their employer per hour.

What trade makes the most money?

Top 10 Highest Paying Trades
  • Construction Managers. ...
  • Aircraft Mechanic and Technician. ...
  • Dental Hygienists. ...
  • Cable Technician. ...
  • Industrial Mechanic. Median Annual Salary: $69,637.
  • Solar Installer. Median Annual Salary: $69,422.
  • Property Appraisers and Assessors. Median Annual Salary: $64,075.
  • Electricians. Median Annual Salary: $62,739.

How to price carpentry work?

A general formula that I have used in the past for estimating most of my small projects: (Cost of Materials x 15-20%) + (Estimated Hours x Hourly Rate of Each Worker) + (Overhead and Equipment Costs, etc.)

How do I quote a contracting job?

How to price contractor jobs
  1. Decide on your salary. The first step in pricing your contracting jobs is determining how much money you hope to make every year. ...
  2. Establish your overhead costs. ...
  3. Set a profit margin. ...
  4. Know your billable hours. ...
  5. Set your rate. ...
  6. Review the competition. ...
  7. Price out variable expenses. ...
  8. Consider taxes.

How do you bid carpentry?

How to Estimate a Carpentry Job
  1. Determine what services the client needs. Every project is different, and the services your client may need might differ from similar projects you've done in the past. ...
  2. Determine the cost of materials. ...
  3. Determine the cost of labor. ...
  4. Factor in other expenses. ...
  5. Estimate the project cost.

How do carpenters measure?

Tape Measure

The tape measure is a basic measuring tool available in various lengths. Its flexible tape, marked with clear graduations, allows carpenters to measure both length and width quickly and easily. To use it effectively, extend the tape smoothly and read the measurements at eye level.

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