Best Cities to Start a Carpenter Business

Where a solo carpenter business has the most room Our calculation

Wildwood, FL ranks first. One-person building finishing work businesses there average $75,286 a year in revenue, with 13.1 building finishing work businesses for every 10,000 residents (typical metro: 21.3). We scored all 384 metros where the Census publishes building finishing work business counts.

1
WildwoodFLORIDA · FL · $75,286 avg solo revenue · 13.1 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
93
2
DoverDELAWARE · DE · $89,031 avg solo revenue · 16.5 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
88
3
AuburnALABAMA · AL · $75,686 avg solo revenue · 15.5 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
87
4
SavannahGEORGIA · GA · $77,534 avg solo revenue · 19.1 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
86
5
KilleenTEXAS · TX · $71,186 avg solo revenue · 15.9 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
81
6
Carson CityNEVADA · NV · $89,029 avg solo revenue · 16.8 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
81
7
Warner RobinsGEORGIA · GA · $73,099 avg solo revenue · 19.3 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
78
8
PinehurstNORTH CAROLINA · NC · $76,175 avg solo revenue · 22.4 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
78
9
ShermanTEXAS · TX · $81,822 avg solo revenue · 25.3 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
77
10
HuntsvilleALABAMA · AL · $66,659 avg solo revenue · 17.3 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
76
11
KennewickWASHINGTON · WA · $74,437 avg solo revenue · 16.6 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
76
12
KnoxvilleTENNESSEE · TN · $82,735 avg solo revenue · 24.6 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
76
13
College StationTEXAS · TX · $68,646 avg solo revenue · 19.6 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fast population growth and lots of new building
75
14
OgdenUTAH · UT · $70,215 avg solo revenue · 17.5 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on fewer competitors per resident and fast population growth
75
15
AustinTEXAS · TX · $79,389 avg solo revenue · 26.4 building finishing work businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
75

Weights: average solo revenue 3, fewer competitors per resident 3, revenue compared with the local employee wage 2, new home permits 2, population growth 1. Each factor is a percentile among these metros.

Top 5 by each factor Government data

Highest solo revenue

Hilton Head Island, SC: $105,571
Bridgeport, CT: $103,811
Barnstable Town, MA: $102,533
Boston, MA: $94,122
Waterbury, CT: $92,580

Least competition

Hanford, CA: 6.6 per 10k residents
Charleston, WV: 8.0 per 10k residents
El Centro, CA: 8.4 per 10k residents
Visalia, CA: 8.5 per 10k residents
Parkersburg, WV: 8.6 per 10k residents

Most new building

Wildwood, FL: 24.5 home permits per 1k
North Port, FL: 19.8 home permits per 1k
Lafayette, IN: 17.9 home permits per 1k
Myrtle Beach, SC: 17.0 home permits per 1k
Wilmington, NC: 16.8 home permits per 1k

Fastest-growing population

Wildwood, FL: +21.1%
Myrtle Beach, SC: +20.9%
Lakeland, FL: +19.8%
St. George, UT: +17.4%
Ocala, FL: +17.3%

Every metro Government data

Click a column to sort. “Rate to match it” is the hourly rate you'd need to bill to replace the local employee median, at our default assumptions (25% for tax and benefits, $30,000 overhead, 1,400 billable hours). Try your own numbers in the rate calculator.

#	Metro	Score	Solo revenue	Businesses / 10k people	Employee median	Rate to match it	Permits / 1k
1	Wildwood, FL	93	$75,286	13.1	$47,130	$64/hr	24.5
2	Dover, DE	88	$89,031	16.5	$52,140	$68/hr	6.7
3	Auburn, AL	87	$75,686	15.5	$47,610	$64/hr	7.9
4	Savannah, GA	86	$77,534	19.1	$44,900	$62/hr	12.8
5	Killeen, TX	81	$71,186	15.9	$47,570	$64/hr	6.8
6	Carson City, NV	81	$89,029	16.8	$63,660	$78/hr	9.8
7	Warner Robins, GA	78	$73,099	19.3	$46,750	$63/hr	6.8
8	Pinehurst, NC	78	$76,175	22.4	$47,840	$64/hr	10.3
9	Sherman, TX	77	$81,822	25.3	$47,740	$64/hr	13.1
10	Huntsville, AL	76	$66,659	17.3	$48,970	$65/hr	8.7
11	Kennewick, WA	76	$74,437	16.6	$64,320	$79/hr	7.8
12	Knoxville, TN	76	$82,735	24.6	$50,400	$66/hr	8.4
13	College Station, TX	75	$68,646	19.6	$46,970	$63/hr	8.6
14	Ogden, UT	75	$70,215	17.5	$48,270	$65/hr	5.5
15	Austin, TX	75	$79,389	26.4	$50,260	$66/hr	11.3
16	Greenville, NC	75	$68,507	18.6	$46,750	$63/hr	7.3
17	Dallas, TX	75	$83,322	25.8	$48,740	$65/hr	8.3
18	Clarksville, TN	75	$70,721	20.2	$49,080	$65/hr	8.7
19	Nashville, TN	74	$91,492	28.6	$55,770	$71/hr	9.2
20	Charleston, SC	74	$90,992	28.6	$50,380	$66/hr	8.7
21	Sebring, FL	74	$69,845	20.2	$47,400	$64/hr	7.3
22	Goldsboro, NC	74	$70,776	19.4	$49,920	$66/hr	8.0
23	Iowa City, IA	74	$72,586	19.9	$49,680	$66/hr	7.1
24	Raleigh, NC	74	$82,045	28.9	$50,820	$67/hr	11.8
25	Jacksonville, NC	74	$68,814	18.0	$48,880	$65/hr	6.6
26	Valdosta, GA	73	$69,664	19.5	$37,840	$55/hr	6.0
27	Greenville, SC	73	$79,459	26.1	$50,090	$66/hr	8.6
28	Spartanburg, SC	73	$75,373	24.8	$51,750	$68/hr	11.6
29	Greeley, CO	72	$90,143	29.3	$57,880	$73/hr	8.5
30	Hilton Head Island, SC	72	$105,571	52.8	$49,070	$65/hr	13.5
31	Corvallis, OR	72	$69,413	9.4	$63,290	$78/hr	5.0
32	Phoenix, AZ	72	$75,039	21.5	$60,320	$75/hr	7.9
33	Appleton, WI	72	$77,155	18.6	$62,490	$77/hr	5.1
34	Crestview, FL	71	$86,735	38.0	$48,940	$65/hr	11.5
35	Charlotte, NC	71	$81,987	30.2	$50,960	$67/hr	8.0
36	Myrtle Beach, SC	70	$75,009	32.5	$47,750	$64/hr	17.0
37	Madison, WI	70	$75,385	21.8	$63,480	$78/hr	10.0
38	Morristown, TN	70	$76,982	23.8	$49,110	$65/hr	4.8
39	Montgomery, AL	70	$70,512	14.7	$47,360	$64/hr	2.8
40	Sioux City, IA	70	$77,887	20.3	$51,100	$67/hr	3.9
41	Sioux Falls, SD	70	$81,975	32.4	$49,410	$66/hr	7.8
42	Springfield, OH	70	$74,505	16.6	$48,380	$65/hr	2.9
43	Tulsa, OK	69	$74,043	23.6	$46,810	$63/hr	5.0
44	North Port, FL	69	$77,485	40.4	$52,000	$68/hr	19.8
45	Lake Havasu City, AZ	69	$64,566	19.6	$46,980	$63/hr	8.2
46	Gettysburg, PA	69	$76,834	23.2	$48,640	$65/hr	4.5
47	Fayetteville, NC	68	$63,447	14.5	$46,800	$63/hr	5.4
48	Logan, UT	68	$63,537	19.2	$49,640	$66/hr	7.6
49	Fayetteville, AR	68	$75,006	34.9	$49,070	$65/hr	15.5
50	Provo, UT	67	$66,289	21.8	$53,230	$69/hr	10.2
51	Fargo, ND	67	$76,018	24.0	$58,940	$74/hr	5.8
52	Punta Gorda, FL	67	$72,857	34.6	$48,530	$65/hr	15.0
53	Charlottesville, VA	67	$76,763	25.7	$56,090	$72/hr	9.5
54	Durham, NC	67	$70,825	25.0	$51,540	$67/hr	10.1
55	Wilmington, NC	67	$74,294	36.3	$50,830	$67/hr	16.8
56	Oklahoma City, OK	67	$73,937	24.7	$48,940	$65/hr	5.9
57	Columbia, SC	67	$65,828	20.1	$48,070	$64/hr	7.1
58	Winchester, VA	66	$72,666	24.2	$50,180	$66/hr	6.2
59	Birmingham, AL	66	$70,670	18.9	$50,400	$66/hr	3.6
60	Trenton, NJ	66	$77,074	19.3	$65,690	$80/hr	3.0
61	Cape Coral, FL	66	$74,388	58.3	$49,210	$65/hr	16.6
62	Bozeman, MT	66	$86,020	66.0	$62,450	$77/hr	12.4
63	Boise City, ID	65	$72,751	31.4	$50,850	$67/hr	11.6
64	Lubbock, TX	65	$70,243	26.9	$43,500	$60/hr	8.0
65	Racine, WI	65	$74,934	18.8	$60,920	$76/hr	3.4
66	Reno, NV	65	$64,565	14.2	$62,350	$77/hr	5.2
67	Green Bay, WI	65	$76,389	21.8	$60,320	$75/hr	4.3
68	Salt Lake City, UT	65	$78,824	25.2	$59,870	$75/hr	6.0
69	Bowling Green, KY	65	$72,685	27.7	$52,680	$68/hr	7.9
70	Seattle, WA	64	$78,423	19.7	$76,410	$90/hr	3.9
71	Gainesville, GA	64	$72,174	38.8	$46,260	$63/hr	9.4
72	Asheville, NC	64	$77,538	36.4	$51,290	$67/hr	7.8
73	Hagerstown, MD	64	$63,011	16.6	$56,600	$72/hr	5.4
74	Lafayette, IN	64	$63,291	16.1	$63,050	$78/hr	17.9
75	Decatur, AL	64	$79,216	22.8	$50,950	$67/hr	2.6
76	Daphne, AL	64	$69,135	31.0	$46,990	$63/hr	10.8
77	Atlanta, GA	64	$80,684	34.7	$50,680	$67/hr	5.4
78	Idaho Falls, ID	63	$73,043	33.1	$52,140	$68/hr	9.3
79	Kansas City, MO	63	$75,430	22.7	$61,810	$77/hr	4.5
80	Chattanooga, TN	63	$71,111	23.8	$50,760	$67/hr	5.1
81	Sheboygan, WI	63	$81,416	20.6	$62,760	$77/hr	3.1
82	Rome, GA	63	$66,447	20.1	$42,000	$59/hr	3.3
83	Little Rock, AR	63	$70,177	22.6	$48,050	$64/hr	4.1
84	Atlantic City, NJ	62	$77,547	23.0	$60,840	$76/hr	4.3
85	Athens, GA	62	$67,844	24.3	$44,740	$61/hr	5.8
86	Jonesboro, AR	62	$62,326	21.6	$43,950	$61/hr	7.5
87	Waco, TX	62	$66,943	21.7	$47,340	$64/hr	4.8
88	Des Moines, IA	62	$73,865	28.3	$61,360	$76/hr	8.5
89	Cheyenne, WY	62	$68,137	20.0	$56,160	$72/hr	5.5
90	Pensacola, FL	62	$67,217	24.0	$47,920	$64/hr	6.3
91	Columbus, OH	62	$75,027	24.7	$66,480	$81/hr	7.2
92	Tyler, TX	62	$84,909	28.5	$44,220	$61/hr	2.2
93	Port St. Lucie, FL	62	$70,790	39.7	$48,640	$65/hr	9.3
94	Rapid City, SD	62	$71,814	28.5	$48,640	$65/hr	6.3
95	Lincoln, NE	62	$72,743	28.1	$49,910	$66/hr	7.0
96	Indianapolis, IN	61	$73,632	23.3	$65,070	$80/hr	5.4
97	St. George, UT	61	$68,062	35.5	$47,060	$63/hr	14.5
98	Bridgeport, CT	61	$103,811	41.7	$63,210	$78/hr	3.6
99	Sacramento, CA	61	$68,251	15.7	$74,440	$88/hr	4.4
100	Abilene, TX	61	$67,590	26.7	$43,030	$60/hr	6.4
101	Lexington, KY	61	$72,035	24.2	$52,030	$68/hr	4.5
102	Panama City, FL	61	$70,059	40.4	$49,650	$66/hr	10.8
103	Omaha, NE	61	$73,242	28.3	$52,800	$69/hr	6.5
104	Amarillo, TX	61	$74,594	25.1	$47,780	$64/hr	3.7
105	Boulder, CO	60	$76,520	24.9	$59,760	$75/hr	6.1
106	Lexington Park, MD	60	$73,945	18.6	$62,880	$78/hr	2.1
107	Colorado Springs, CO	60	$73,751	28.9	$57,430	$73/hr	7.6
108	Missoula, MT	59	$75,060	36.7	$57,160	$72/hr	7.1
109	Midland, TX	59	$71,478	28.2	$60,830	$76/hr	7.3
110	Olympia, WA	59	$60,266	13.5	$63,260	$78/hr	5.6
111	Odessa, TX	59	$71,715	28.3	$52,260	$68/hr	5.6
112	New Haven, CT	59	$85,179	22.4	$65,750	$80/hr	1.8
113	Coeur d'Alene, ID	59	$70,671	36.5	$56,160	$72/hr	9.4
114	Denver, CO	59	$82,452	33.1	$64,910	$79/hr	5.3
115	Salem, OR	59	$70,052	19.6	$59,730	$75/hr	3.2
116	Rocky Mount, NC	59	$65,817	20.8	$47,490	$64/hr	3.7
117	Memphis, TN	58	$74,079	22.3	$50,620	$67/hr	2.5
118	Columbia, MO	58	$68,458	22.1	$56,160	$72/hr	3.8
119	Spokane, WA	58	$65,454	19.7	$61,900	$77/hr	5.3
120	Twin Falls, ID	58	$61,384	21.9	$47,470	$64/hr	5.6
121	Roanoke, VA	58	$72,637	23.2	$47,050	$63/hr	2.8
122	Burlington, NC	58	$60,816	23.9	$49,280	$65/hr	11.5
123	Philadelphia, PA	58	$75,872	20.4	$61,780	$77/hr	2.1
124	Harrisburg, PA	58	$67,657	18.0	$57,690	$73/hr	2.0
125	Fort Wayne, IN	58	$70,858	22.3	$60,400	$75/hr	3.6
126	Hickory, NC	57	$61,831	23.6	$48,260	$65/hr	8.5
127	Homosassa Springs, FL	57	$57,241	23.8	$45,740	$62/hr	12.9
128	Hammond, LA	57	$56,542	21.4	$45,340	$62/hr	8.5
129	Hartford, CT	57	$82,837	23.1	$64,770	$79/hr	1.3
130	Norwich, CT	57	$76,695	20.4	$64,500	$79/hr	1.6
131	Richmond, VA	56	$62,620	23.7	$51,870	$68/hr	6.8
132	Bremerton, WA	56	$57,184	13.3	$65,000	$79/hr	6.4
133	Bismarck, ND	56	$71,596	25.0	$54,670	$70/hr	3.0
134	Wausau, WI	56	$70,729	22.5	$49,990	$66/hr	2.5
135	Harrisonburg, VA	55	$62,526	23.7	$49,650	$66/hr	6.2
136	Minneapolis, MN	55	$77,196	24.8	$74,060	$88/hr	3.9
137	Greensboro, NC	55	$68,437	27.7	$49,910	$66/hr	4.9
138	Fond du Lac, WI	55	$80,605	23.0	$62,550	$77/hr	1.8
139	San Jose, CA	55	$67,269	11.5	$80,190	$93/hr	2.8
140	Florence, SC	55	$57,920	17.4	$49,250	$65/hr	4.5
141	Chico, CA	54	$62,301	13.9	$72,290	$86/hr	4.8
142	Houston, TX	54	$62,751	29.0	$49,670	$66/hr	8.7
143	Cincinnati, OH	54	$69,776	22.0	$60,110	$75/hr	3.2
144	Joplin, MO	54	$58,698	18.6	$48,540	$65/hr	3.0
145	Ocala, FL	54	$60,411	33.4	$46,600	$63/hr	15.0
146	Stockton, CA	54	$57,709	11.5	$69,160	$83/hr	3.2
147	Washington, DC	54	$75,414	27.2	$60,800	$76/hr	2.8
148	Palm Bay, FL	54	$60,692	25.0	$47,770	$64/hr	7.3
149	Mankato, MN	53	$69,660	22.2	$61,150	$76/hr	3.4
150	Barnstable Town, MA	53	$102,533	83.3	$70,580	$84/hr	2.7
151	San Luis Obispo, CA	53	$76,411	20.5	$77,220	$90/hr	2.4
152	Tucson, AZ	53	$57,103	18.5	$49,110	$65/hr	4.4
153	Dayton, OH	53	$64,097	17.7	$58,330	$74/hr	2.4
154	Winston, NC	53	$62,748	25.8	$49,940	$66/hr	6.8
155	Portland, OR	53	$67,849	18.5	$73,710	$87/hr	3.3
156	Gainesville, FL	53	$51,882	20.0	$48,040	$64/hr	10.5
157	Jacksonville, FL	53	$63,811	32.6	$50,540	$67/hr	8.0
158	Milwaukee, WI	53	$73,679	20.5	$63,910	$78/hr	2.0
159	Staunton, VA	52	$55,978	21.1	$48,620	$65/hr	7.8
160	Rochester, MN	52	$73,939	24.9	$63,610	$78/hr	3.2
161	Bend, OR	52	$65,100	28.9	$61,640	$76/hr	12.1
162	Columbus, GA	52	$63,952	19.5	$45,070	$62/hr	1.9
163	Deltona, FL	52	$61,732	32.3	$46,670	$63/hr	7.7
164	Naples, FL	52	$65,835	59.5	$49,390	$66/hr	6.9
165	Longview, TX	52	$68,016	22.8	$46,160	$63/hr	1.0
166	Waterbury, CT	52	$92,580	32.4	$62,250	$77/hr	1.1
167	Walla Walla, WA	52	$60,633	12.2	$59,660	$75/hr	2.6
168	Baltimore, MD	52	$67,397	17.5	$62,380	$77/hr	2.0
169	Augusta, GA	52	$62,801	23.7	$58,930	$74/hr	6.6
170	Albany, OR	52	$60,079	12.1	$57,080	$72/hr	1.4
171	Albuquerque, NM	52	$58,945	13.6	$60,080	$75/hr	3.1
172	Medford, OR	51	$65,918	21.3	$57,930	$73/hr	4.2
173	Lewiston, ME	51	$72,936	36.5	$60,950	$76/hr	4.0
174	Worcester, MA	51	$86,721	30.0	$73,010	$87/hr	1.9
175	Williamsport, PA	51	$71,279	20.4	$53,340	$69/hr	0.6
176	Wenatchee, WA	51	$61,337	23.2	$63,640	$78/hr	8.7
177	Merced, CA	51	$57,154	9.9	$74,760	$88/hr	2.7
178	Lawrence, KS	51	$64,282	20.0	$59,800	$75/hr	3.1
179	Brunswick, GA	51	$59,349	25.1	$45,110	$62/hr	5.5
180	Boston, MA	51	$94,122	30.6	$75,210	$89/hr	2.0
181	Columbus, IN	51	$61,091	15.3	$67,780	$82/hr	2.2
182	Pocatello, ID	51	$51,492	18.9	$50,700	$67/hr	6.6
183	Riverside, CA	51	$61,029	16.8	$70,880	$85/hr	3.4
184	Hot Springs, AR	51	$70,153	30.6	$43,370	$60/hr	3.3
185	Santa Maria, CA	51	$69,717	18.9	$75,140	$89/hr	3.1
186	Flagstaff, AZ	50	$55,677	14.9	$55,970	$71/hr	4.4
187	Wichita, KS	50	$60,215	21.8	$50,930	$67/hr	4.8
188	Lakeland, FL	50	$56,644	28.8	$45,970	$62/hr	10.4
189	Grand Forks, ND	50	$68,586	21.7	$57,440	$73/hr	2.2
190	Manchester, NH	50	$85,998	34.7	$61,300	$76/hr	1.5
191	Kiryas Joel, NY	50	$69,350	23.7	$63,540	$78/hr	3.1
192	Fort Collins, CO	50	$66,213	29.0	$58,310	$73/hr	6.6
193	Billings, MT	50	$68,531	30.7	$58,950	$74/hr	5.4
194	Casper, WY	50	$68,385	23.9	$49,960	$66/hr	2.5
195	Orlando, FL	50	$62,032	44.3	$49,750	$66/hr	10.0
196	Oshkosh, WI	49	$61,332	16.4	$84,430	$97/hr	4.0
197	Grand Rapids, MI	49	$69,155	27.7	$59,000	$74/hr	3.7
198	Reading, PA	49	$65,203	19.9	$54,930	$70/hr	1.3
199	St. Cloud, MN	49	$65,737	24.0	$60,600	$76/hr	3.9
200	Waterloo, IA	49	$61,007	19.1	$55,840	$71/hr	3.3
201	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY	49	$64,376	24.5	$56,520	$72/hr	4.4
202	Manhattan, KS	49	$55,958	18.0	$51,600	$68/hr	3.7
203	Vineland, NJ	49	$62,133	12.5	$63,440	$78/hr	0.9
204	Ann Arbor, MI	49	$65,241	19.3	$65,170	$80/hr	2.9
205	Tampa, FL	49	$63,030	34.1	$52,130	$68/hr	6.9
206	San Antonio, TX	49	$63,239	30.3	$48,900	$65/hr	4.0
207	Dalton, GA	49	$63,663	31.4	$42,750	$60/hr	3.8
208	San Diego, CA	48	$62,207	17.0	$73,200	$87/hr	3.6
209	Chambersburg, PA	48	$53,364	20.8	$48,730	$65/hr	6.6
210	Slidell, LA	48	$58,634	24.4	$48,310	$65/hr	4.0
211	Tuscaloosa, AL	48	$52,831	14.6	$48,870	$65/hr	2.2
212	Shreveport, LA	48	$58,797	19.0	$46,920	$63/hr	2.7
213	Allentown, PA	48	$63,321	19.7	$59,540	$75/hr	2.3
214	Wichita Falls, TX	48	$56,190	17.3	$38,620	$56/hr	1.1
215	Santa Fe, NM	48	$58,665	17.7	$59,420	$74/hr	3.2
216	Pittsburgh, PA	47	$64,054	18.6	$61,180	$76/hr	2.4
217	Johnson City, TN	47	$58,905	25.0	$47,920	$64/hr	4.3
218	Visalia, CA	47	$50,734	8.5	$64,390	$79/hr	3.7
219	Las Vegas, NV	47	$42,658	13.6	$62,380	$77/hr	6.2
220	Honolulu, HI	47	$67,049	11.4	$94,310	$106/hr	1.4
221	Cedar Rapids, IA	47	$63,783	22.6	$58,920	$74/hr	3.6
222	Jackson, TN	46	$59,150	21.7	$47,950	$64/hr	2.6
223	Macon, GA	46	$51,628	18.0	$41,670	$59/hr	2.2
224	Albany, NY	46	$60,692	18.2	$60,720	$76/hr	2.3
225	Napa, CA	46	$66,242	17.4	$80,590	$93/hr	2.7
226	Oxnard, CA	46	$66,107	17.4	$74,060	$88/hr	1.9
227	Fort Smith, AR	46	$61,483	27.5	$42,420	$59/hr	2.9
228	Elizabethtown, KY	46	$49,803	16.2	$49,070	$65/hr	3.9
229	Eau Claire, WI	46	$60,988	23.8	$59,090	$74/hr	5.4
230	Cleveland, TN	46	$53,358	24.0	$48,480	$65/hr	7.3
231	Lebanon, PA	45	$57,650	20.8	$55,760	$71/hr	3.8
232	York, PA	45	$60,314	21.3	$61,160	$76/hr	3.4
233	Janesville, WI	45	$64,417	19.5	$75,390	$89/hr	2.4
234	Lewiston, ID	45	$48,912	15.3	$57,420	$73/hr	4.7
235	St. Louis, MO	45	$63,257	18.0	$70,990	$85/hr	2.2
236	Dothan, AL	45	$51,191	21.2	$42,800	$60/hr	3.9
237	Springfield, MO	45	$62,463	28.9	$52,000	$68/hr	3.6
238	Evansville, IN	45	$55,230	15.6	$64,690	$79/hr	3.0
239	Prescott Valley, AZ	45	$59,685	28.1	$56,570	$72/hr	7.0
240	Longview, WA	45	$51,809	12.1	$68,550	$83/hr	2.7
241	Gulfport, MS	45	$56,580	25.7	$49,470	$66/hr	7.9
242	Champaign, IL	45	$52,936	15.2	$66,980	$81/hr	3.8
243	Sumter, SC	44	$50,491	17.5	$45,700	$62/hr	3.4
244	Blacksburg, VA	44	$48,369	12.6	$47,580	$64/hr	2.7
245	Rochester, NY	44	$62,387	18.3	$59,490	$75/hr	1.7
246	Portland, ME	44	$66,645	46.5	$64,300	$79/hr	6.2
247	Traverse City, MI	44	$67,785	45.8	$59,230	$74/hr	5.2
248	Topeka, KS	44	$57,329	19.6	$51,210	$67/hr	2.7
249	Salisbury, MD	44	$65,235	25.4	$50,410	$66/hr	1.6
250	Scranton, PA	44	$58,447	15.4	$60,240	$75/hr	1.1
251	Vallejo, CA	44	$59,177	12.7	$76,220	$89/hr	1.9
252	Lawton, OK	44	$53,160	13.0	$50,400	$66/hr	1.6
253	Yuba City, CA	44	$45,865	13.0	$76,100	$89/hr	4.5
254	Redding, CA	44	$62,184	15.4	$71,750	$85/hr	1.4
255	Yuma, AZ	43	$31,615	16.4	$47,910	$64/hr	5.5
256	Virginia Beach, VA	43	$57,143	19.2	$51,500	$67/hr	2.2
257	Beckley, WV	43	$53,558	9.6	$48,000	$64/hr	0.7
258	Mobile, AL	43	$58,095	21.1	$48,540	$65/hr	2.7
259	Bloomington, IN	43	$50,805	19.4	$61,360	$76/hr	7.8
260	Midland, MI	43	$65,285	20.4	$63,380	$78/hr	1.5
261	Minot, ND	43	$69,552	23.9	$58,950	$74/hr	1.8
262	Miami, FL	43	$63,862	53.3	$51,570	$67/hr	3.8
263	Kenosha, WI	43	$56,059	19.9	$60,120	$75/hr	5.3
264	Sierra Vista, AZ	42	$37,689	12.5	$43,910	$61/hr	3.7
265	Tallahassee, FL	42	$52,012	24.7	$46,870	$63/hr	7.0
266	Bakersfield, CA	42	$42,082	10.2	$66,540	$81/hr	3.5
267	Santa Rosa, CA	42	$68,006	23.0	$80,520	$93/hr	3.5
268	Terre Haute, IN	42	$53,696	10.8	$60,560	$76/hr	1.7
269	Anchorage, AK	42	$69,553	21.3	$72,800	$86/hr	0.7
270	Yakima, WA	41	$47,350	10.7	$63,300	$78/hr	2.8
271	Lynchburg, VA	41	$45,435	19.1	$48,270	$65/hr	4.2
272	Las Cruces, NM	41	$53,528	20.9	$57,030	$72/hr	3.7
273	South Bend, IN	41	$57,702	18.2	$61,690	$77/hr	2.3
274	Bloomington, IL	41	$62,165	17.1	$75,470	$89/hr	1.6
275	Fresno, CA	41	$41,501	12.2	$63,470	$78/hr	3.0
276	San Francisco, CA	41	$61,465	14.2	$89,200	$101/hr	1.7
277	Eugene, OR	41	$49,826	15.4	$62,590	$77/hr	4.0
278	Grand Junction, CO	40	$61,688	33.7	$60,230	$75/hr	5.1
279	Hanford, CA	40	$36,889	6.6	$73,250	$87/hr	3.3
280	Baton Rouge, LA	40	$53,588	22.4	$55,630	$71/hr	4.9
281	Los Angeles, CA	40	$59,520	16.0	$75,740	$89/hr	2.1
282	Canton, OH	40	$66,545	24.6	$56,530	$72/hr	1.6
283	Bellingham, WA	40	$55,125	22.0	$73,260	$87/hr	5.3
284	Providence, RI	40	$69,950	28.8	$61,910	$77/hr	1.7
285	Monroe, MI	40	$57,488	17.6	$59,750	$75/hr	1.2
286	Saginaw, MI	39	$58,216	16.0	$62,240	$77/hr	1.1
287	Syracuse, NY	39	$53,443	17.8	$62,250	$77/hr	3.1
288	Davenport, IA	39	$59,613	19.1	$60,440	$75/hr	1.6
289	Lafayette, LA	39	$55,544	29.8	$47,440	$64/hr	5.0
290	Battle Creek, MI	39	$57,193	15.5	$62,140	$77/hr	0.9
291	Santa Cruz, CA	38	$63,861	19.6	$77,690	$91/hr	1.8
292	Grants Pass, OR	38	$55,185	20.6	$57,160	$72/hr	3.3
293	Johnstown, PA	38	$52,423	11.5	$54,560	$70/hr	0.5
294	Pueblo, CO	38	$57,054	19.3	$56,150	$72/hr	1.3
295	Salinas, CA	38	$55,206	14.7	$67,530	$82/hr	1.8
296	Albany, GA	37	$45,942	16.9	$38,400	$56/hr	1.3
297	Kokomo, IN	37	$51,065	12.9	$61,000	$76/hr	1.3
298	Ames, IA	37	$41,256	15.9	$55,640	$71/hr	3.1
299	Akron, OH	37	$65,954	24.5	$61,070	$76/hr	1.1
300	Modesto, CA	37	$50,461	13.8	$73,730	$87/hr	2.2
301	Springfield, MA	37	$63,135	19.3	$75,520	$89/hr	0.7
302	Sebastian, FL	37	$61,871	35.9	$48,340	$65/hr	1.5
303	Muskegon, MI	37	$52,047	21.3	$48,830	$65/hr	2.6
304	Farmington, NM	37	$51,713	10.4	$59,720	$75/hr	0.7
305	Erie, PA	37	$54,398	15.5	$56,850	$72/hr	0.9
306	Kahului, HI	37	$66,203	27.9	$82,110	$95/hr	5.5
307	Kingsport, TN	37	$47,383	20.4	$48,340	$65/hr	3.7
308	Florence, AL	36	$49,749	20.3	$51,740	$68/hr	2.6
309	Ithaca, NY	36	$35,180	15.3	$60,680	$76/hr	4.5
310	Grand Island, NE	36	$57,631	31.0	$48,350	$65/hr	3.5
311	San Angelo, TX	36	$57,125	28.9	$41,600	$59/hr	2.8
312	Muncie, IN	35	$34,894	15.1	$59,890	$75/hr	2.9
313	Fairbanks, AK	35	$58,126	14.8	$84,970	$97/hr	0.3
314	Utica, NY	35	$53,928	16.2	$59,540	$75/hr	1.1
315	Alexandria, LA	35	$50,951	19.1	$46,760	$63/hr	1.8
316	Kalamazoo, MI	35	$54,671	19.6	$61,060	$76/hr	1.9
317	State College, PA	35	$48,981	16.1	$55,690	$71/hr	2.0
318	Pittsfield, MA	35	$72,864	37.9	$63,050	$78/hr	1.2
319	Bay City, MI	34	$52,449	15.9	$55,520	$71/hr	0.7
320	Jackson, MI	34	$54,139	19.7	$56,160	$72/hr	1.9
321	Cleveland, OH	34	$64,505	27.9	$60,650	$76/hr	1.9
322	Binghamton, NY	34	$48,004	13.3	$62,000	$77/hr	1.9
323	Burlington, VT	34	$58,240	29.0	$62,790	$77/hr	5.5
324	Charleston, WV	34	$44,594	8.0	$49,060	$65/hr	0.6
325	Duluth, MN	34	$50,933	18.3	$60,520	$75/hr	2.3
326	Laredo, TX	34	$43,012	26.5	$41,540	$59/hr	5.0
327	Jackson, MS	34	$57,422	25.0	$49,330	$65/hr	2.6
328	Buffalo, NY	34	$50,626	14.9	$63,500	$78/hr	1.3
329	Gadsden, AL	34	$57,024	25.6	$41,180	$58/hr	1.2
330	Texarkana, TX	34	$49,816	20.4	$42,650	$60/hr	2.0
331	El Centro, CA	34	$39,690	8.4	$74,340	$88/hr	1.3
332	Chicago, IL	34	$63,517	22.1	$80,440	$93/hr	1.7
333	Great Falls, MT	34	$58,187	24.9	$58,790	$74/hr	3.0
334	Morgantown, WV	33	$39,079	10.8	$49,160	$65/hr	0.2
335	Mount Vernon, WA	33	$52,235	20.7	$69,710	$84/hr	2.8
336	Elmira, NY	33	$49,903	13.1	$61,190	$76/hr	1.2
337	Michigan City, IN	33	$47,359	15.9	$91,970	$104/hr	2.6
338	Youngstown, OH	33	$65,012	25.5	$56,970	$72/hr	0.7
339	Lake Charles, LA	33	$47,002	18.9	$45,930	$62/hr	2.2
340	Amherst Town, MA	33	$51,017	20.6	$66,830	$81/hr	1.8
341	Brownsville, TX	33	$36,183	25.4	$35,640	$53/hr	6.3
342	Niles, MI	33	$54,911	21.9	$54,620	$70/hr	2.4
343	Parkersburg, WV	33	$40,231	8.6	$47,090	$63/hr	1.1
344	Lansing, MI	32	$54,599	20.4	$64,270	$79/hr	1.8
345	Owensboro, KY	32	$46,770	19.4	$52,360	$68/hr	2.3
346	Rockford, IL	32	$53,286	17.2	$72,770	$86/hr	1.1
347	Watertown, NY	32	$32,713	12.3	$57,840	$73/hr	2.5
348	La Crosse, WI	31	$56,433	24.7	$58,950	$74/hr	2.8
349	Altoona, PA	31	$49,919	15.8	$57,360	$73/hr	0.7
350	Anniston, AL	31	$41,947	15.6	$49,070	$65/hr	1.2
351	Wheeling, WV	31	$44,376	12.6	$50,120	$66/hr	0.0
352	McAllen, TX	31	$38,565	32.4	$41,530	$59/hr	8.2
353	Sandusky, OH	31	$53,111	21.4	$57,560	$73/hr	2.8
354	Jefferson City, MO	31	$56,967	23.9	$57,030	$72/hr	1.4
355	Peoria, IL	30	$47,964	13.2	$75,280	$89/hr	0.6
356	Springfield, IL	30	$49,852	15.2	$76,970	$90/hr	1.1
357	Helena, MT	30	$57,664	34.7	$58,490	$74/hr	2.3
358	Corpus Christi, TX	29	$50,252	31.2	$47,200	$64/hr	4.7
359	Weirton, WV	29	$39,245	9.4	$58,240	$73/hr	0.1
360	Lima, OH	29	$46,779	18.6	$53,800	$69/hr	1.5
361	Lancaster, PA	29	$59,367	38.0	$55,690	$71/hr	2.3
362	Monroe, LA	29	$46,395	20.2	$48,400	$65/hr	2.4
363	Elkhart, IN	29	$48,635	22.4	$65,520	$80/hr	3.8
364	New York, NY	28	$56,265	22.6	$74,300	$88/hr	2.2
365	Huntington, WV	28	$38,578	13.1	$52,000	$68/hr	0.8
366	Dubuque, IA	28	$50,838	23.7	$60,090	$75/hr	3.4
367	Mansfield, OH	27	$54,709	22.6	$57,750	$73/hr	0.9
368	Victoria, TX	27	$52,596	27.7	$49,460	$66/hr	1.9
369	Toledo, OH	27	$51,942	19.6	$61,070	$76/hr	0.8
370	Detroit, MI	27	$60,806	29.3	$65,810	$80/hr	2.0
371	Decatur, IL	27	$39,970	12.2	$87,220	$99/hr	0.4
372	Bangor, ME	26	$47,977	26.5	$57,100	$72/hr	3.1
373	El Paso, TX	26	$47,297	27.4	$42,430	$59/hr	2.3
374	Flint, MI	25	$55,082	22.6	$61,360	$76/hr	1.1
375	Beaumont, TX	25	$46,186	22.2	$58,290	$73/hr	2.4
376	Kankakee, IL	25	$36,771	15.9	$95,280	$106/hr	1.1
377	Houma, LA	25	$44,017	22.9	$48,210	$64/hr	2.9
378	Hattiesburg, MS	24	$51,356	26.2	$48,360	$65/hr	0.8
379	Glens Falls, NY	23	$52,802	26.3	$58,560	$74/hr	2.6
380	Paducah, KY	21	$37,495	20.6	$51,700	$68/hr	1.7
381	New Orleans, LA	21	$50,020	25.5	$50,130	$66/hr	1.7
382	Cape Girardeau, MO	20	$43,497	21.9	$63,740	$78/hr	1.0
383	Kingston, NY	17	$48,886	32.1	$61,140	$76/hr	2.4
384	St. Joseph, MO	16	$39,004	20.9	$60,150	$75/hr	0.5

How to read this

Revenue is what one-person businesses take in before expenses, not take-home pay. A high figure with lots of competitors per resident usually means a busy but crowded market; a lower figure with few competitors can mean room to grow. Business counts come from the Census Nonemployer Statistics (2024) and County Business Patterns (2023), grouped as “building finishing work”, so they include some firms outside the trade itself.

For pay as an employee in any of these cities, see the carpenter salary overview or the best cities for carpenters to work.

Census Nonemployer Statistics 2024; County Business Patterns 2023; Census Building Permits 2025; Census population estimates; BLS OEWS May 2025. Our data

Best cities to start a carpenter business