Carpenters vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Carpenters professionals earn $24,730 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 71.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$98,370
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $25,600 | +$13,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $29,140 | +$18,410 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $34,580 | +$24,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $37,850 | +$37,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $47,930 | +$50,440 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $37,150 | +$26,890 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Carpenters or Retail Salespersons?
Carpenters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,730 (71.5% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Carpenters and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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