Carpenter Salary / Wage
Salary and wage information for carpenters and joiners is compiled regularly by analysis of Australian jobs advertised in major publications. Salaries are annual unless otherwise stated.
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations Code (ANZSCO) for carpenters and joiners is 331211, for carpenters is 331212 and for joiners is 331213.
Job titles and exact tasks vary in this work and examples of some occupation titles are carpenter, joiner, finish carpenter, rough carpenter, shopfitter and joinery machinist.
These occupations are currently on the Australian Combined Skilled Occupation List, (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, MLTSSL).
The average Australian weekly full-time ordinary earnings across all occupations in mid-2018 were $1,586, giving an annual income of approximately $82,472. This was 2.6% higher than in mid-2017.*
Data supplied from Indeed over the past 36 months, based on over 1,700 salaries, estimated that the average salary for a carpenter was $39.69 per hour in Australia.
Carpenter and Joiner Salaries / Wages in 2018
| Job Title | Salary / Wage $ | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Experienced Carpenter | 70,000 – 75,000 | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Apprentice Carpenter | $525 – $1,050 per week | Wagga Wagga & Riverina, New South Wales |
| Maintenance Handyperson / Carpenter | 70,000+ | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Carpenter and Joiner | 63,000 | New South Wales |
| Precast Formwork Carpenter | $50 – $60 per hour | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Carpenter | $32 – $42 per hour | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Formwork Carpenters | $40 – $45 per hour | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Maintenance Carpenter | $35 – $38 hour | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Shopfitter / Carpenter – EBA | $50 – $60 per hour | Gold Coast, Queensland |
| Formwork Carpenter | $40 – $50 per hour | Perth |
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*Source:ABS
These pages may also be of interest:
roland says
June 13, 2018 at 9:42 pmHi people.away from carpentry.I,m a 64 year old wall & floor tiler in the industry since 1970 .In that time have picked up carpentry ,plumbing, painting , plastering,bricklaying. even a little basic electrical.the point being any trade offers learning opportunities.Be open to other trades prepared to show you stuff. you also need to be fussier than your client. referal work is the best advertising you can get. self employed is the better way to go. (more freedom). ideally get off the tool,s by 55-60. now at 64 I,m physically worn out,&have had to give it away
Margaret Archer says
May 14, 2018 at 11:19 amMember of family has done apprenticeship and mid forties but works for builder outer Melbourne who builds million dollar plus homes. He is required to do most of the stairs and fit outs. Extremely few sick days have been taken in over 20 years loyal work. Also expected to supervise apprentices and still gets under $40 per hr. So unfortunately I would not recommend this type of work for any young person who wants to do home building as pay is less than cleaners in this country
michael horsburgh says
March 6, 2018 at 8:21 amHi
My names mike and from Scotland , trades work isn’t awesome here either the old ways are dying out,
With 20years expierince as a joiner would I make a good living for myself in aus
Cheers
Jayden says
February 10, 2018 at 1:21 pmHey, I’m 15 years old and continuing on with woodwork in school because I would like to be a Carpenter when I leave school. I know I have to do other stuff to get into this trade. I’ve read a few of these comments and would like to know if these are true and if I should consider a different career or trade?
john says
January 23, 2018 at 10:19 pmim 68 yrs old
After retiring 2 yrs ago . i went back to work part time
I did my 5 yr apprenticship in the uk
Of course its hard work ! and of course we as carpenters fix up .or have to get over shoddy workmanship . What trade doesnt ? . Yes , there was times when , like everyone else ,I tired of it all
But for the most part . Ive enjoyed the job !!!!
ive been very lucky . ive worked on everything from formwork to intricate fitting out of multi mill $ homes
If a young guy or girl out of school wants to be a carpenter ,I say go for it
Find a GOOD carpenter . TAKE notice .and never complain . no matter what .
i came to australia 35 yrs ago from the uk
No matter what anyone threw at me i did it .I never complained , even though i wanted to at times . Just get on with it !!!!! because i wanted to learn
your time at work will be more enjoyable with a open mind and willing to learn .
Now i can get work anytime i want to
Because people trust that i will do a good job and still can give a good days work for a good days pay .
do it guys and girls . if you work hard and learn to be good at your trade . you will never look back
good luck !!!
Sellsy says
August 15, 2017 at 9:20 pmYes correct to the previous carpenters comments, all valid points. I’m 45 and started as a furniture maker and worked my way through many carpentry based jobs. I’m in my fourth year of being a builder and it has its ups and downs though for what it’s worth. Keep on the carpentry track and while you complete your trade also do your cirt4 in building. Make sure you take pride in your work and maybe take some furniture making causes to refine your skill, this will give better knowledge on finishing. I can tell you that it dose make a big difference in the quality of your work. Good luck.
Oli says
June 14, 2017 at 1:56 amHi my names oliver and I’m a 21 year old joiner/cabinet maker Just about to finish my apprenticeship that I’ve been doing for 2 years, I’m from England and I’ve always wanted to come over to Australia and try and make a living. Is Australia crying out for more joiners/cabinet makers or would this be the wron decision to make?
Thanks a lot!
Henry says
May 31, 2018 at 7:11 pmLearn how to use designing software and cnc machine first .This will help you a lot as a cabinet/joiner.dont follow the old fashion way anymore as it will always drag you down! Everything nowadays is hi-tech!
terry kavanagh says
April 30, 2017 at 4:21 pma little bit of putty and a little bit of paint makes a carpenter what he aint. today its builders bog and no more gaps. painters today fill all the bad mitre joints,punch and fill nail holes. i gave up on new work years ago. we also have second rate plasterers who expect painters to finish there shoddy work. workmanship in australia is going to the dogs. “the painter will fix that”
zac says
April 24, 2017 at 2:10 pmthanks for the advice
Trevor says
April 24, 2017 at 8:38 pmHi Zac
Great to see that you are keen
I’m with rob
I’m 63 still busting my ass as a Chippie / general builder / building technician but that’s my choice
have been doing this since I was 17 year old
Some days I still love what I do others well let’s say I don’t want to start work bus up lol
My advice is you need to find a really good tradesman
(. And I mean a good one )
Work hard and listen to him
Learn as much as you can and more watch all the other trades as they work around you and remember their work as well
this will help you to become a builder the more you know means you can diversify later from being a carpenter only if you want
After 6-8 years you could do or at same time moltable trades certificates
Then save as you work buy a block of land middle of the road price and build your self a timber frame home
Do as much work as possible on it yourself that saves money in your pocket
Rob lagden says
April 22, 2017 at 10:01 pmHi Zac l am a 60year old carpenter .it has always been my dream.i will give you the same advice that my grandfather gave me when I was 15 .do something else,be a plumber or an electrician, he was a carpenter too. He never said why but I can tell you. The carpenters role is to not only to construct,run,organise materials,show all the other trades where to put it ,how to put it ,fix it up when it’s wrong ,cop the **** when some other tradie stuffs up and get half the money.if you decide to become a plumber or sparkle you will be able to afford a nice house with a decent shed and you can do all the woodwork that your heart desires .thats the way I would do it over again.i still like making shavings .rob
Billy says
August 24, 2017 at 5:49 pmToo right!!!!
Martin smith says
August 26, 2017 at 3:46 amHi Guys
It’s exactly the same in the U.K. The carpenter has to do absolutely everything whilst the other trades spend most of their time turning up late with no materials then on their phones or vaping like an old train. And then of course leaving 2hours earlier than the carpenters. But as you guys already know we are the top of the food chain. lol
Christine says
September 9, 2017 at 11:46 pmMy husband is also a 60 year old joiner and says exactly the same thing!
Howard Mitchell says
January 9, 2018 at 2:24 amRob is correct he nailed it listen to his wisdom he’s telling you straight
Zac says
March 24, 2017 at 10:38 amI’m in school and nearly finished, I’m really looking for a job as being a carpenter anyone know anything that could help me become my dream I’m situated In Mackay qld
Thanks
Tom says
October 3, 2017 at 7:29 amIt’s like rob says Zac, in the eastern states of Australia and in nz, but not so in wa. Over here we don’t call ourselves ‘builders’, there’s companies for that and they aren’t carpenters, the employ draftsman, architects, consultants etc but all the labour is subcontracted out seperately.
In my opinion mate, carpenter/builder is the best job out, the skill set of an all-rounder is unbeatable, the trade is very diverse. You want to be loving what you do each day, it’s not all about the money! Plus, chicks dig chippies..
Chur bro, good luck