Carpenters vs Electrical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $52,600 more per year than Carpenters professionals — that's 88.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $175,460 for Electrical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
$38,760$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Electrical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $74,670 | $-35,910 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $87,590 | $-40,040 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $111,910 | $-52,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $141,630 | $-66,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $175,460 | $-77,090 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $120,980 | $-56,940 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Electrical Engineers
188,790
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 Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Carpenters or Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $52,600 (88.7% 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 Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
How many Carpenters and Electrical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Electrical Engineers to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Electrical Engineers earns $111,910. 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