Carpenter Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Carpenters in Sydney earn a median salary of $96,900 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $80,000 and $115,000. That is broadly in line with Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 34 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 52th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↓ -2 listings vs last month
💰 Carpenter · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$80,000 – $115,000
Median: $96,900
Jun $91k
Jul $96k
↑ Trending up

Based on 2-month data, short-term movement only.

Mid level $80,000 – $115,000
Overall $80k–$115k Mid $80k–$115k $77k $85k $93k $102k $110k $118k
Moderate confidence 34 listings (-2 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 34 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 60.0% stated a salary directly. The remaining 40.0% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10%  $80,000 Median  $96,900 $115,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

The median rose $5,650 to $96,000, though Sydney remains behind Brisbane at $100,000 for this trade. Listings were flat at 34 against 36. At 60% salary disclosure this is a well-evidenced figure. The striking number is the comparison to the city median: at just 2% above Sydney's $95,000 benchmark, carpentry clears the local bar by less than in any other city in this report.

Take Home Pay (based on median $96,900)

Weekly (net)
~$1,404
Monthly (net)
~$6,084
Annual (net)
~$73,002
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $108,043

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Carpenter in Sydney?
A qualified carpenter starts at $80,000, with the trade certificate as the barrier and apprentice rates outside this range. Commercial fitout, formwork and high-rise work pay above residential framing. A white card is assumed, while working at heights and scaffolding tickets move pay within the band.
Is $96,900 a good salary in Sydney?
Barely. At $96,000 a carpenter earns 2% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $1,404 a week against the highest living costs in this report. Brisbane pays $4,000 more at a far lower cost base, which is a strong relocation argument for this trade. Sydney's high city median is what erodes the premium here.
How much does a Senior Carpenter make in Sydney?
The ceiling is $115,000, reached through leading hand work, site supervision or commercial fitout specialisation. Beyond the tools, Sydney estimators earn $140,000, project engineers $160,000 and site managers $160,000. Builder licensing is the other route, though these figures cover employed positions only.

Other roles in Sydney

Carpenter salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $96,900 0%
Brisbane $100,000 +3%
Melbourne $94,430 -3%
Adelaide $90,000 -7%
Perth $87,960 -9%

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.