Carpenters vs Office Clerks, General: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Carpenters professionals earn $15,680 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 35.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$29,120$98,370
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $29,120 | +$9,640 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $35,350 | +$12,200 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $43,630 | +$15,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $52,560 | +$23,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $63,840 | +$34,530 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $45,470 | +$18,570 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Carpenters or Office Clerks, General?
Carpenters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,680 (35.9% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Carpenters and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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