Carpenters vs Construction Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $47,670 more per year than Carpenters professionals — that's 80.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $176,990 for Construction Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
$38,760$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Construction Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $65,160 | $-26,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $83,480 | $-35,930 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $106,980 | $-47,670 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $139,330 | $-63,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $176,990 | $-78,620 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $119,660 | $-55,620 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Construction Managers
348,330
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
Best Cities for Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Carpenters or Construction Managers?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $47,670 (80.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
How many Carpenters and Construction Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 348,330 Construction Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Construction Managers to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Construction Managers earns $106,980. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS