A typical Carpenter III working in metro Pennsylvania -- Allentown is expected to earn a median base salary of $40,999. Half of the people in this job are expected to earn between $36,434 and $45,196 (i.e., between the 25th and 75th percentiles). These numbers are based on national averages of $37,026 and $45,931 then adjusted by geographic salary differentials.

Earnings can be reduced on occasion, because carpenters lose work time in bad weather and during recessions when jobs are unavailable.

In 1998, median hourly earnings of ceiling tile installers and acoustical carpenters were $15.27. The middle 50 percent earned between $11.88 and $20.50. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.68 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $29.57.

Some carpenters are members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.