Where the carpenter salary sits against the national average
The typical carpenter in Australia earns a median of $1,760 a week before tax, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. That is about $91,520 a year. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, is $2,083.70 a week, or $108,352 a year. So the median carpenter salary falls below the line.
But the median is not the same as the average. The median tells you the middle point: half of carpenters earn more, half earn less. The average is pulled up by high earners. For a carpenter, the median is a more realistic benchmark for what a typical worker takes home.
How the national average is set
The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year for May and November. The May 2026 figure of $2,083.70 a week is the seasonally adjusted ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults. That is the figure used as the line on this site. It covers all industries and occupations, public and private sectors.
By contrast, the all-employees average (including part-time and casual) is $1,579.20 a week. The full-time median across all occupations is about $1,741 a week (about $90,532 a year). The carpenter median of $1,760 a week is slightly above that full-time median, but still well below the full-time average.
Carpenter median earnings from the ABS
The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for carpenters and joiners reports that 89% of carpenters work full-time, with average full-time hours of 43 hours per week. The median full-time earnings per week is $1,760, and median hourly earnings are $45. That is slightly below the all-occupations median of $1,852 a week and $47 an hour. Carpenters tend to be younger (median age 30) and overwhelmingly male (97%).
Because the median is used, it excludes managers and part-time workers, giving a clearer picture of the typical tradesperson. If you are an experienced carpenter or work in a high-demand area, your pay could be higher than the median.
How it compares to the line
Place a salary on the line to see how any salary measures up. For a carpenter earning $1,760 a week, that is $323.70 below the national full-time average. Over a year, that is about $16,832 less than the average. However, many carpenters work overtime or receive penalty rates, which can push total earnings above the median.
Factors that push carpenter pay above or below the average
Location matters
The national full-time average varies by state. States and territories shows the full-time average for each jurisdiction. For example:
- New South Wales: $109,658 a year
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
A carpenter in Western Australia or the ACT is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania or South Australia, reflecting the local labour market and cost of living.
Award coverage
Most carpenters are covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. The Fair Work Commission sets minimum rates for each classification level. From 1 July 2026, award minimums rose by 4.75% as part of the Annual Wage Review. The Modern Awards Pay Database contains the calculated minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. A carpenter at the top of the award classification may earn more than the minimum, but still below the median.
Experience and skill
A carpenter with specialised skills (e.g., formwork, joinery) can earn above the median. Those starting out or in a traineeship may earn less. The median age of carpenters is 30, so many are early in their career. With experience, pay tends to rise.
Overtime and overtime
Average full-time hours for carpenters are 43 hours per week, which is slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours. Many carpenters work overtime at penalty rates, which can boost weekly earnings above the median. But the median is based on ordinary-time earnings, not total earnings including overtime.
Conclusion
The carpenter salary of $1,760 a week is below the national full-time average. It is above the national minimum wage and above the all-employees average. For a typical carpenter, the pay is about $16,000 less than the average. But with location, experience, and overtime, some carpenters can earn above the line.
For more on how your own salary compares, Place a salary on the line and see the distance from the average.