Carpenter salary in Australia
ANZSCO occupation: Carpenters and Joiners
Last reviewed July 2026
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) · 2025 data. Annual figure derived from median weekly earnings × 52.
See your take-home pay on $92,000 →At a glance
- People employed
- 149,600
- Annual employment growth
- +2,900/yr
- 5-yr projected growth
- +6.4%
- Skills shortage rating
- Shortage
- Main industry
- Construction
- Works full-time
- 89%
- Avg full-time hours
- 43 hrs/wk
- Works part-time
- 11%
- Female share
- 3%
- Median age
- 30 yrs
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025) · Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025)
What does a carpenter do?
Carpenters and Joiners construct, erect, install, renovate and repair structures and fixtures made of wood, plywood, wallboard and other materials, and cut, shape and fit timber parts to form structures and fittings.
- Studying drawings and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures
- Ordering and selecting timbers and materials, and preparing layouts
- Cutting materials, and assembling and nailing cut and shaped parts
- Erecting framework and roof framing, laying sub-flooring and floorboards and verifying trueness of structures
- Nailing fascia panels, sheathing roofs, and fitting exterior wall cladding and door and window frames
- Assembling prepared wood to form structures and fittings ready to install
- Cutting wood joints
- May construct concrete formwork
- May repair existing fittings
- May work with plastic laminates, perspex and metals
How to become a carpenter
Typical education for this occupation, and courses that lead to it.
Education held by people in this role
Where carpenters are employed
Share of workers by state and territory (employment distribution, not pay).
Carpenter jobs
Related occupations
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter earn in Australia?
The median carpenter earns $91,520 per year ($1,760 per week, or about $45/hour), based on Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025).
What qualifications do you need to be a carpenter?
Most carpenters hold a Certificate III or IV (67.1% of workers). Pathways vary — see typical courses above.
Is carpenter a job in demand in Australia?
Around 149,600 carpenters are employed in Australia. Employment is changing by about +2,900 workers per year.
Earnings, employment and education data: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation Profiles (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Employment projections: Jobs and Skills Australia — Employment Projections (May 2025 to May 2030), produced with Victoria University (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
Skills shortage ratings: Jobs and Skills Australia — 2025 Occupation Shortage List (unit-group level) (2025). Used under CC BY 4.0.
The ABS median refers to full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate; individual pay varies. Annual figures derived from median weekly earnings × 52. Figures are estimates for guidance only.