Carpenter Salary UK 2025 | Take-Home Pay Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay as an employed or self-employed carpenter. Covers apprentice to master carpenter, CSCS card requirements, UCATT/Unite union rates, overtime pay, and regional variations. Updated for 2025/26 tax year.
Carpenter Take-Home Pay Calculator 2025
UK Carpenter Salary by Grade 2025
| Grade / Role | Typical Salary | Monthly Take-Home* | Annual Take-Home* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1-2) | £13,000-£16,000 | £1,083-£1,300 | £12,996-£15,600 |
| Apprentice (Year 3-4) | £16,000-£20,000 | £1,300-£1,627 | £15,600-£19,520 |
| Entry Level Carpenter | £22,000-£26,000 | £1,710-£1,892 | £20,520-£22,704 |
| CIJC Craft Rate | £28,000-£30,000 | £1,932-£2,063 | £23,184-£24,756 |
| Experienced Carpenter | £30,000-£36,000 | £2,063-£2,406 | £24,756-£28,872 |
| Senior / Site Carpenter | £36,000-£42,000 | £2,406-£2,762 | £28,872-£33,143 |
| Master Carpenter / Shopfitter | £40,000-£45,000 | £2,693-£2,951 | £32,316-£35,415 |
| Self-Employed (£180/day) | ~£39,600 gross | ~£2,300 | ~£27,600 |
| Self-Employed (£250/day) | ~£55,000 gross | ~£3,000 | ~£36,000 |
| Self-Employed Specialist (£350/day) | ~£77,000 gross | ~£3,800 | ~£45,600 |
*Based on 2025/26 tax rates, personal allowance £12,570, no pension or student loan. Self-employed assumes 220 working days, £7,000 business expenses. Figures approximate.
Carpenter Career Progression 2025
| Career Stage | Years Experience | Typical Role | Salary Range | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | 0-4 | Apprentice Carpenter | £13,000-£20,000 | Level 2/3 NVQ + CSCS card |
| Junior | 0-2 post-qual | Carpenter & Joiner | £22,000-£26,000 | First solo projects |
| Skilled | 2-5 | Craft Operative | £28,000-£34,000 | CIJC craft rate, Blue CSCS |
| Experienced | 5-10 | Senior Carpenter | £34,000-£42,000 | Gold CSCS, supervisory |
| Master | 10+ | Master Carpenter / Shopfitter | £42,000-£50,000+ | Contracts, estimating |
| Self-Employed | 3+ | Sole Trader / Subcontractor | £45,000-£65,000+ | Public liability insurance, CIS |
Carpenter Salaries by UK Region 2025
| Region | Employed Salary Range | Self-Employed Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| London | £35,000-£48,000 | £220-£350 |
| South East | £30,000-£42,000 | £200-£300 |
| South West | £26,000-£36,000 | £170-£260 |
| Midlands | £26,000-£36,000 | £170-£250 |
| North of England | £24,000-£34,000 | £160-£230 |
| Wales | £23,000-£32,000 | £155-£220 |
| Scotland | £25,000-£35,000 | £165-£240 |
| Northern Ireland | £22,000-£31,000 | £150-£210 |
Carpenter Salaries in the UK in 2025
Carpentry remains one of the most versatile and enduring construction trades in the United Kingdom. From first-fix structural timber framing on new-build housing developments to bespoke fitted furniture and heritage joinery restoration, the breadth of work available to skilled carpenters is enormous. In 2025, the demand for experienced carpenters continues to outstrip supply in many parts of the country, driving wages upward and making carpentry an excellent career choice for those entering the trades.
The UK construction industry is currently in a period of sustained growth, driven by government housebuilding targets, the renovation and retrofit boom, and a growing appetite for high-quality bespoke woodwork in residential and commercial properties. This demand has pushed average carpenter wages above the wider workforce average and created substantial opportunities for self-employed carpenters to earn well above employed equivalents.
CSCS Card Requirements for Carpenters
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card is effectively the standard identity card for the UK construction industry. Most principal contractors and large housebuilders require all on-site workers to hold a valid CSCS card before they can enter a construction site. For carpenters, the appropriate card level depends on their qualifications. The Green Labourer card is for those without trade qualifications. The Blue Skilled Worker card requires an NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 in a carpentry or joinery trade. The Gold Advanced Craft card is for those with Level 3 qualifications and additional experience. Site managers and supervisors may hold the Gold Supervisory or Black Manager CSCS cards.
Obtaining a CSCS card requires passing the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test, which costs approximately £22.50 and tests knowledge of construction site safety. The card application itself costs £36 for a five-year card. Self-employed carpenters and those working for smaller firms on domestic properties may not always need a CSCS card, but holding one significantly expands the range of work available.
Union Rates: UCATT / Unite and CIJC Agreements
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement sets national minimum rates for construction workers including carpenters and joiners. UCATT (Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians), which merged into Unite the Union, negotiated these rates on behalf of workers. The CIJC craft operative rate in 2024/25 is approximately £14.38 per hour, equivalent to approximately £29,910 per year based on a standard 40-hour week. This is a minimum rate; many employers pay above this, particularly in London, the South East, and for workers with specialist skills.
CIJC agreements also set out enhanced rates for overtime, shift work, and working away from home. The industry Travel and Accommodation allowance covers carpenters working on sites more than a set distance from their home. These benefits can add £2,000 to £6,000 per year to the effective compensation of carpenters on major construction projects.
Overtime and Weekend Pay for Carpenters
Under CIJC terms, overtime is paid at time and a half (1.5x) for the first four hours of overtime and double time (2x) for additional hours. Saturday morning (before 1pm) is paid at time and a half; Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday at double time. Bank holidays are paid at double time for those required to work. For a carpenter on a basic rate of £14.38 per hour, a Saturday morning of overtime earns £21.57 per hour, and Sunday or bank holiday work earns £28.76 per hour. Many carpenters on major construction projects earn an additional £3,000 to £8,000 per year through planned overtime, particularly during peak construction periods.
Specialist Carpentry Skills and Pay Premiums
Not all carpenters earn the same rate. Specialist skills command significant premiums over standard rates. Heritage and conservation joinery for listed buildings requires knowledge of traditional techniques and materials and typically pays 20 to 40 per cent above standard craft rates. Shopfitting for retail and hospitality environments is technically demanding and often involves working overnight or at weekends, attracting both a skill premium and unsociable hours supplements. Staircase manufacture and installation, bespoke fitted furniture, and timber frame construction are all specialist areas where experienced carpenters can command day rates of £250 to £400 or higher.
Frequently Asked Questions: Carpenter Salary UK 2025
What is the average carpenter salary in the UK in 2025?
The average employed carpenter salary in the UK in 2025 is approximately £28,000 to £36,000 per year. Entry-level carpenters earn £22,000 to £26,000. Master carpenters and specialist shopfitters earn £35,000 to £45,000. Self-employed carpenters can earn £45,000 to £65,000. London and the South East pay 20 to 35 per cent above national averages.
What is a CSCS card and do carpenters need one?
A CSCS card proves that a carpenter holds the required qualifications and health and safety knowledge to work on a UK construction site. Most commercial sites require all workers to hold a valid CSCS card. For carpenters, the Blue Skilled Worker card (NVQ Level 2 or 3) is the standard requirement. The card costs £36 for five years, plus the £22.50 CITB test fee. Without a CSCS card, carpenters are restricted to private domestic work only.
How much does a self-employed carpenter earn?
A self-employed carpenter on a day rate of £200 working 220 days earns approximately £44,000 gross. After business expenses of approximately £7,000, taxable profit is £37,000. After income tax and Class 4 NI, annual take-home is approximately £29,000 to £30,000. At day rates of £280 to £350, self-employed take-home rises to £37,000 to £44,000, substantially above employed equivalents.
What are the Union (UCATT/Unite) rates for carpenters?
The CIJC (Construction Industry Joint Council) craft operative rate in 2024/25 is approximately £14.38 per hour, equivalent to approximately £29,910 per year for a standard 40-hour week. These are minimum rates negotiated by Unite the Union (incorporating UCATT). Many employers pay above these rates, especially in London, the South East, and for specialist skills. CIJC agreements also include overtime premiums, shift allowances, and travel payments.
Do carpenters get overtime and weekend pay?
Under CIJC terms, overtime is paid at 1.5x for the first four hours and 2x for additional hours. Saturday morning work is paid at 1.5x; Saturday afternoon and Sundays at 2x. Bank holidays are paid at double time. Regular overtime can add £3,000 to £8,000 per year to a carpenter's earnings, depending on the employer and project type.
What is the take-home pay for a carpenter earning £32,000?
A carpenter earning £32,000 per year in 2025/26 pays income tax of approximately £3,886 and National Insurance of approximately £1,554. Annual take-home is approximately £26,560, or £2,213 per month and £511 per week. A 5% pension contribution reduces taxable income to £30,400 and lowers total deductions slightly.
How does London weighting affect carpenter salaries?
London and the South East pay carpenters approximately 20 to 35 per cent more than the national average. An experienced carpenter earning £30,000 nationally might earn £38,000 to £42,000 in London. Self-employed carpenters in London typically charge £220 to £350 per day compared to £160 to £230 in the North of England. However, London's higher cost of living reduces the real-terms advantage for employed workers.
What benefits and perks do employed carpenters typically receive?
Employed carpenters typically receive: 28 days paid holiday per year (including bank holidays), auto-enrolled pension with employer contribution of at least 3%, statutory sick pay of £116.75 per week (2025/26), a company van or van allowance, tool allowance, PPE provision, and health and safety training funded by the employer. Some larger construction firms also offer life insurance, private health insurance, and annual bonus schemes. These benefits are typically worth £4,000 to £10,000 per year in equivalent value to a self-employed carpenter who must fund these themselves.