Carpentry salary in Australia
Carpentry remains one of the most in-demand trades in Australia, with strong employment across construction, renovation, and maintenance. For anyone considering the trade or hiring a carpenter, knowing where the carpentry salary sits against the national full-time average provides a clear benchmark.
Median earnings for carpenters and joiners
The most reliable source for typical carpentry pay is the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). It reports median full-time weekly earnings of $1,760 for carpenters and joiners. That equates to $91,520 per year before tax. This is a median, not an average, so it better represents the typical worker than a mean that could be skewed by high or low earners.
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings, from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026), is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year. The median carpentry salary is therefore about 16% below the national average. This gap is not unusual for trades; occupations in mining, information technology, and management pull the average higher.
Average vs median: why it matters
The national full-time average of $108,352 is a mean, pulled up by high earners in mining, finance, and management. The median for carpenters is a better indicator of what a typical carpenter earns. The gap between the two (about $16,800) reflects the different composition of the workforce. Using the median avoids the distortion of very high incomes.
Award minimum rates under the Building and Construction Award
The Building and Construction General On-site Award (MA000020) sets the legal minimum for carpenters. As of the first full pay period starting on or after 24 February 2026, the hourly rate for a Level 3 carpenter (which includes carpenters, joiners, and stonemasons) is $30.40. For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week, that yields $1,155.20 per week, or about $60,070 per year.
The award also includes an industry allowance and a tool allowance, which are incorporated into the rates shown in the pay guide. Overtime is paid at time-and-a-half for the first two hours and double time thereafter. Saturday work attracts penalty rates: time-and-a-half for the first two hours before noon, and double time after that. Sunday and public holiday rates are higher still.
Many carpenters are covered by enterprise agreements that provide above-award pay. The median of $91,520 suggests that the majority earn well above the minimum.
Award increases and the minimum wage
The Fair Work Commission increased award rates by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. The national minimum wage rose to $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week ($52,255 per year). The carpentry award rate of $30.40 is well above the minimum, reflecting the skill and demand for the trade.
Take-home pay after tax and Medicare
Using the 2026-27 individual tax rates, we can estimate take-home pay for a carpenter on the median salary.
- Tax-free threshold: $0 – $18,200
- 15%: $18,201 – $45,000
- 30%: $45,001 – $135,000
- 37%: $135,001 – $190,000
- 45%: above $190,000
- Medicare levy: 2% of taxable income (before any reductions)
For $91,520:
- Tax on first $18,200: $0
- Tax on $18,201–$45,000 (26,800): $4,020
- Tax on $45,001–$91,520 (46,520): $13,956
- Total tax: $17,976
- Medicare levy: $1,830
- Total deductions: $19,806
- Take-home: $71,714 per year ($1,379 per week)
For the national average of $108,352:
- Tax on $18,201–$45,000: $4,020
- Tax on $45,001–$108,352 (63,352): $19,006
- Total tax: $23,026
- Medicare levy: $2,167
- Total deductions: $25,193
- Take-home: $83,159 per year ($1,599 per week)
The difference in weekly take-home is about $220. However, carpenters may have deductions for tools, travel, and union fees that can reduce taxable income.
Overtime and total earnings
The median figure of $1,760 per week is for ordinary time only, not including overtime. Many carpenters work additional hours, especially in residential construction where Saturday work is common. Overtime at time-and-a-half or double time can boost weekly earnings significantly. For example, working 5 hours of overtime at time-and-a-half adds about $228 to the weekly pay (5 × $45.60). Over a year, that could add $11,000 or more.
State and territory comparisons
Full-time average earnings vary significantly across Australia, and carpentry wages tend to follow local economic conditions. The highest state average is in the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090), driven by public sector and professional services. Western Australia ($115,825) benefits from mining and resources. New South Wales ($109,658) and Victoria ($106,137) are close to the national average. Tasmania ($96,008) is the lowest.
Carpenters in Western Australia and the Northern Territory often earn premiums due to remote work and fly-in-fly-out arrangements. States and territories provides a full breakdown.
How carpentry compares to other occupations
The median hourly earnings for carpenters are $45, compared to $47 for all occupations. The median full-time weekly earnings for all occupations is $1,852, so carpenters are about 5% below that. However, carpenters work slightly fewer average hours per week (43 vs 44 for all occupations), so the hourly gap is smaller.
Job medians allows you to compare carpentry with other trades and professions.
Industry context
Most carpenters work in construction, but the industry breakdown shows that residential building, commercial construction, and infrastructure all employ carpenters. The ABS industry data for Average Weekly Earnings shows that the construction industry average full-time ordinary time earnings are $1,985.30 per week ($103,236 per year). That is above the carpentry median, reflecting that construction includes managers, engineers, and other higher-paid roles.
Industry medians provides more detail on pay across sectors.
Career progression and earnings growth
Carpenters can increase earnings through specialisation (e.g., formwork, finishing, or site supervision), obtaining a builder's licence, or moving into project management. The median age of 30 suggests many carpenters are early in their careers, with potential for wage growth. The top 25% of carpenters likely earn well above the median, possibly exceeding the national average.
Summary
A carpentry salary in Australia typically falls below the national full-time average of $108,352, with a median of $91,520. The award minimum is about $60,070, but most experienced carpenters earn significantly more. After tax, a carpenter on the median takes home around $71,700 per year. For those considering the trade, the pay is solid and offers room for growth.
Place a salary on the line to see how any income compares to the national average.