Helpers--Carpenters pay range in Chicago
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,340 a year or less, while the top 10% make $60,770 or more. The middle half of helpers--carpenters in Chicago earn between $42,970 and $59,740.
- $32K10th
- $43K25th
- $47KMedian
- $60K75th
- $61K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $49,300 | $4,108 | $23.70 |
| Median | $46,940 | $3,912 | $22.57 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $42,970 | $3,581 | $20.66 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $59,740 | $4,978 | $28.72 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Helpers--Carpenters pay in Chicago vs. Illinois and the U.S.
Helpers--carpenters in Chicago earn 9% more than the Illinois average ($45,340) and 12% more than the U.S. average ($44,050). At the median the gap is +7% against the U.S. median of $43,780.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $49,300 | $46,940 | $32,340 | $60,770 | n/a |
| Illinois | $45,340 | $45,660 | $31,200 | $59,740 | n/a |
| United States | $44,050 | $43,780 | $31,660 | $57,670 | 21,680 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Helpers--Carpenters salary after taxes in Chicago
On the average salary of $49,300, a single filer in Chicago takes home about $39,493 a year, or $3,291 a month and $1,519 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $40,344 | $3,362 |
| Working in IL | $39,493 | $3,291 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Chicago a good place for helpers--carpenters? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chicago area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.6), so the average $49,300 buys what about $47,589 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Chicago ($54,720). A typical home costs $353,998, or 7.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Helpers--Carpenters salary in nearby metro areas
- Madison, WI$39,450
- Dayton, OH$46,560
- Detroit, MI$41,480
- Cincinnati, OH$42,770
- Cleveland, OH$43,350
- Huntington, WV$35,040
Highest-paying cities for helpers--carpenters
Los Angeles, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($62,310).
- Los Angeles, CA$62,310
- San Francisco, CA$60,900
- Santa Cruz, CA$58,160
- Wenatchee, WA$52,960
- New Haven, CT$52,920
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Helpers--Carpenters salary in Chicago: questions
How much do helpers--carpenters make an hour in Chicago?
$23.70 an hour on average, and $22.57 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level helpers--carpenters salary in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,340 a year and the 25th percentile is $42,970, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the helpers--carpenters take-home pay in Chicago?
About $39,493 a year ($3,291 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $49,300.
Do helpers--carpenters earn more in Chicago than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% more than the U.S. average for this job ($44,050).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 47-3012; area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (16980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 9.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
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