How Much Does a Carpenter Earn

Readin time: 5 minutes

Average carpenter salary in the UK

Checkatrade’s research has outlined the average income of a carpenter working in the UK as the following:

• An apprentice carpenter should expect an annual salary of £11,414
   

• A newly qualified carpenter should expect an annual salary of £17,560
   

• An employed carpenter should expect an annual salary of £35,360
   

• A sole trader carpenter should expect an annual salary of £55,314
   

• A business owner of a Ltd carpentry company should expect an annual salary of £66,377

It is not just the job level that will affect how much you can expect to earn as a carpenter though.

Location is another factor which can affect the overall salary for a carpenter. Those in this trade who work in major UK cities such as London will usually charge more for their services when compared to the same types of tradespeople carrying out a job in a smaller town or rural area, due to the cost of living and operating expenses often being higher.

Expanding how many skills you know as a carpenter can also increase your earning potential. While we have a handy guide that outlines how to become a carpenter, you could consider a specialism and aim to become an expert in that field once you have qualified and gained some experience. Here are just a few options available in the carpentry trade:

• Become a cabinet maker – this role involves the detailed and intricate installation of furniture such as dressers, storage chests and wardrobes.
   

• Become a framer – people in this role specialise in applying the skeletal wooden framework of a building.
   

• Become a heritage carpenter – restoring, rebuilding and renovating historic buildings will be a key part of this role.
   

• Become a joister – a key responsibility here is to lay floor joists ahead of floor surfaces being installed.
   

• Become a roofer – the installation of beams, rafters and trusses during a roof’s construction are areas of expertise for those in this role.
   

• Become a rough carpenter – formwork, framing, roofing and structural works are specialisms here.
   

• Become a set design carpenter – this role sees a tradesperson working on sets and props to be used in the film and theatre industry.
   

• Become a shopfitting carpenter – installing shelves and fittings into the unique spaces set out by retailers will be involved in this role.
   

• Become a trim or finish carpenter – these roles involve the tradesperson fitting mouldings and trims, such as door frames, mantles and skirting boards.

A look at carpenter earnings by type of job

How much a carpenter makes can also be affected by how big the job is to complete and, as a result, how much someone in this trade should charge for their services. 

Checkatrade is once again on hand to help, as it has detailed ballpark average costs in the UK for the following tasks:

• Carrying out fine woodworking procedures - £40 per hour
   

• Refinishing furniture - £40 per hour
   

• Repairing a cabinet - £40 per hour
   

• Setting up a fitted wardrobe - £1,100 for entire construction
   

• Supplying and installing a skirting board - £30 per metre
   

• The labour of hanging a new door - £120 per door
   

• The labour to install decking - £100 per m²
   

• The labour of fitting new flooring – this ranges from £45 per m² for laminate flooring up to £77.50 per m² for a herringbone pattern design

Understanding a self-employed carpenter salary in the UK

With the average annual salary for a sole trader carpenter listed as £55,314 and a business owner of a Ltd carpentry company expected to earn an annual salary of £66,377, you may well have ambitions to become a self-employed carpenter.

Costs and business expenses need to be factored in when someone is at this level of the trade though, such as the fact that self-employed carpenters will be responsible for their own National Insurance and tax contributions.

These tradespeople also need to cover the costs of purchasing and maintaining their work vehicle, buying their own set of high-quality tools and equipment, and taking out adequate business insurance to protect their company and its assets.

Even with all of this considered, a sole trader carpenter can still expect an approximate take-home pay of £37,010, according to Checkatrade. For a business owner of a Ltd carpentry company, the take-home pay is expected to be near to £43,268.

You should now have a much better understanding about the expected salary for a carpenter in the UK from reading this guide. For more handy tips and advice when getting into the trade or expanding your knowledge in a chosen field, be sure to browse through our extensive Trade News & Advice hub.