Carpenters vs Data Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $53,280 more per year than Carpenters professionals — that's 89.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $194,410 for Data Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
$38,760$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Data Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $63,650 | $-24,890 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $82,630 | $-35,080 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $112,590 | $-53,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $155,810 | $-80,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $194,410 | $-96,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $124,590 | $-60,550 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Data Scientists
233,440
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 Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Carpenters or Data Scientists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $53,280 (89.8% 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 Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
How many Carpenters and Data Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 233,440 Data Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Data Scientists to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Data Scientists earns $112,590. 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