The average carpenter salary UK workers earn is around £34,000 a year when employed — roughly £17 an hour — and rising fast, up about 5% on last year. With the UK construction sector short of skilled tradespeople, demand for carpenters has rarely been higher. But the headline figure hides a big truth: where the real money is depends on what kind of carpentry you do, and whether you work for yourself.
First fix vs second fix: where the money is
Carpentry splits into two worlds. First fix is structural work — roofs, floors, staircases, framing — done before plastering. Second fix is the finishing work — doors, skirting, fitted furniture, kitchens — and it’s where skill (and pay) climbs. Beyond that sits bespoke joinery and fine cabinetry: custom kitchens, staircases, and furniture made to order, which command the highest rates of all.
The more specialised and “finish” your work, the more you earn. A carpenter doing high-end bespoke joinery for private clients can earn far above someone doing standard first-fix site work.
Carpenter Salary UK: Employed vs Self-Employed
As with every trade, going solo is the biggest earnings lever. An employed carpenter earns £29,000–£42,000 depending on experience. A self-employed carpenter charges £200–£350 a day (rising to £500 in London), which works out to a sole-trader income of around £55,000+ a year for someone consistently busy.
The trade-off is the usual one: self-employment means covering your own tools, insurance, travel, and quiet weeks. Most carpenters spend several years employed building skills and contacts before going self-employed.
Carpenter salary by experience
- Apprentice — around £11,400–£15,000 a year. You earn while you train, with no university debt.
- Newly qualified — around £24,000–£28,000.
- Experienced (10–20 years) — around £42,000, more with specialisms.
- Self-employed / bespoke specialist — £45,000–£55,000+, the top of the trade.
Carpenter Salary UK by Region
Location has a clear effect on the carpenter salary UK average. London and the South East pay the most, driven by demand and the cost of living, while Wales and Northern Ireland sit lower:
| Region | Average salary | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| London | £40,000 | £19.23 |
| South East | £37,000 | £17.79 |
| East of England | £34,000 | £16.35 |
| Scotland | £33,000 | £15.87 |
| Midlands | £32,000 | £15.38 |
| North West | £31,000 | £14.90 |
| Wales | £29,000 | £13.94 |
| Northern Ireland | £28,000 | £13.46 |
A carpenter in London can earn up to 25% more than one doing the same work elsewhere — though much of that premium is eaten up by higher living costs, so real purchasing power can be closer than the headline figures suggest.
What else affects a carpenter’s pay
- Type of work — bespoke joinery and second-fix finishing pay more than first-fix site work.
- Employment model — self-employed carpenters generally out-earn employed ones.
- Qualifications — an NVQ Level 2 and a CSCS card unlock the higher-paying commercial contracts.
- Region — London and the South East lead, as the table shows.
Is becoming a carpenter worth it?
For a debt-free route into a skilled, in-demand trade, carpentry is a strong choice. The construction shortage guarantees years of solid demand, the work can’t be outsourced, you earn while you train, and there’s a clear path from apprentice to a £55,000+ self-employed or bespoke specialist. The trade-offs are physically demanding work and the business side that comes with going solo.
Frequently asked questions
How much do carpenters make an hour in the UK?
Employed carpenters earn around £16–£23 an hour, while self-employed carpenters charge day rates of £200–£350, rising to £500 in London.
Do self-employed carpenters earn more?
Yes. A busy self-employed carpenter can earn around £55,000+ versus roughly £34,000 for an employed carpenter, though they cover their own tools, insurance, and downtime.
What’s the difference between a carpenter and a joiner?
A joiner usually makes timber components (doors, frames, staircases) in a workshop, while a carpenter installs them on-site. Pay is broadly similar, and the terms are often used interchangeably.
Want the bigger picture? See our full breakdown of the average salary in the UK, or check official guidance at the National Careers Service.
More UK trades: see how much a plumber or an electrician earns by region and as a self-employed tradesperson.