How does a Carpenter's salary in Oakland compare to the rest of California?

Oakland's cost of living index is 175 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted upward accordingly. A Carpenter earning the city-adjusted median of $98,613 earns $21,813 more than the median household income in Oakland ($76,800).

Carpenter Salary in Oakland, CA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Oakland's cost of living (index: 175). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Carpenter Salary in Oakland — Key Numbers

$98,613

Median Salary

$71,383

25th Percentile

$129,868

75th Percentile

$167,685

90th Percentile

National median (Carpenter)$56,350

vs. National median+75.0%

Oakland median household income$76,800

vs. City household income+28.4%

Cost of Living in Oakland

Cost of Living Index

175(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,895/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio23.1%

Annual rent cost$22,740

Median Home Price$780,000

Home Price / Salary7.9×

20% Down Payment$156,000

Years to save (20% rate)7.9 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Oakland

5.5%

Unemployment Rate

440,000

Metro Population

31 min

Avg Commute

37.5

Median Age

Oakland has a metro population of 440,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 5.5% unemployment rate is near the national average.

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Cost of Living — Oakland

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Carpenter Salary in California

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Oakland

Physician$401,275 Chief Executive Officer$367,500 Dentist$307,143 IT Manager$296,643 Marketing Manager$275,835 Lawyer$255,080

Carpenter Salary — Other California Cities

Los Angeles, CA$97,486 San Francisco, CA$120,589 San Jose, CA$111,573 San Diego, CA$91,851 Riverside, CA$68,747

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Carpenter make in Oakland, CA?

The estimated median salary for a Carpenter in Oakland is $98,613 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $56,350 adjusted by Oakland's cost of living index (175). The typical salary range runs from $71,383 (25th percentile) to $129,868 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $167,685.

Is Oakland affordable for a Carpenter?

On a $98,613 annual salary, a Carpenter in Oakland would spend approximately 23.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,895/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Oakland relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $780,000 is 7.9× the annual salary.

How does a Carpenter's salary compare to Oakland's overall income?

Oakland's median household income is $76,800. A Carpenter earning the city-adjusted median of $98,613 earns 28.4% more than the typical Oakland household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Carpenter — National Carpenter in California All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.