Carpentry · NC

Carpentry costs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only

Mean hourly wage
$25.31
Median hourly
$24.78
p10 – p90
$18.94 – $30.41

How this market compares

Durham-Chapel Hill, NC has its own Carpentry labor market; here is what the BLS numbers say before you chase bids. Mean hourly pay here sits about 20% below the national OEWS mean.

Among 526 OEWS areas with published Carpentry wages, Durham-Chapel Hill ranks #351 nationally on mean hourly pay ($25.31). Compared with other NC areas that report Carpentry wages, this market is #2 of 18. Percentile spread: $18.94–$30.41. Median sits at $24.78.

Local employment for this SOC is roughly 520 workers (OEWS May 2025). Nationwide that occupation is about 670,090. How a few common projects pencil out against the national mid: Hardwood Flooring Installation mid estimate $3,360 here vs $3,906 U.S. (14% below); Window Replacement (vinyl double-hung) mid estimate $481 here vs $533 U.S. (10% below); Entry Door Replacement mid estimate $875 here vs $976 U.S. (10% below).

Nearby / same-state markets worth checking: Asheville (about the same, $25.30); Wilmington ($24.95, 0.36 lower); Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia ($25.70, 0.39 higher).

Sample project ranges

ProjectLowMidHigh
Hardwood Flooring Installation (default size)$1,782$3,360$6,599
Window Replacement (vinyl double-hung)$289$481$914
Entry Door Replacement$443$875$1,925
Wood Deck Build (default size)$2,689$5,564$11,694
Deck Board / Rail Repair$172$430$1,072
Baseboard Installation (default size)$168$370$802
Interior Door Installation$134$298$644

Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)

Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.

Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.

What usually moves the number

Getting quotes without the circus

  1. Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
  2. Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
  3. Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
What this estimate can’t tell you. Roof pitch, an old house or code upgrades, tough access, permits, emergency or after-hours calls, and brand tier can push a real quote outside this range.

Check our math

BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses

Carpenter (47-2031)$25.31/hr mean

Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.

Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.

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Gear people often ask about

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Thermostats

A decent thermostat won’t fix a bad install, but it can stop the short-cycling arguments.

Partner options
Water heaters

Tank, tankless, heat-pump — the sticker price is only half the story.

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Warranties & financing

Read the exclusions. “Full coverage” rarely means what the brochure implies.

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Monthly wage & cost note

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