Southern California Union Carpenter Wages (2026–2030)
How much do union carpenters make in Southern California? This page shows the complete wage scale from the 2026–2030 Carpenters Master Labor Agreement covering the 12 counties of Southern California. Includes journeyman rates, full apprentice progression, fringe benefits, and scheduled future raises.
Journeyman wage rates (effective July 1, 2026)
| Classification | Base Hourly Wage | Total Package (w/ fringe) | Annual (40hr base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter, Cabinet Installer, Insulation Installer, Acoustical Installer | $54.41/hr | $84.34/hr | $113,173 |
| Piledriver / Bridge Carpenter | $54.54/hr | $84.47/hr | $113,443 |
| Millwright | $54.91/hr | $84.84/hr | $114,213 |
| Foreman (any classification) | +$3.00/hr over journeyman | — | — |
| Certified Welder | +$1.00/hr over journeyman | — | — |
| Layout Lead | +$3.00/hr over journeyman | — | — |
Fringe benefits breakdown ($29.93/hr total)
In addition to base wages, contractors contribute the following fringe benefits per hour worked:
| Benefit | Rate/hr |
|---|---|
| Health & Welfare | $10.25 |
| Pension | $6.41 |
| Vacation / Supplemental Dues* | $7.57 |
| Annuity | $4.50 |
| Apprenticeship Training | $0.79 |
| Construction Industry Cooperation Committee (CICC) | $0.26 |
| Industry Advancement Fund | $0.08 |
| Contract Administration Fund | $0.07 |
| Quad C / Partnership for Jobs | $0.00 (reallocated to wages) |
| TOTAL FRINGE | $29.93 |
*Vacation ($5.00) and Supplemental Dues ($2.57) are added to the hourly wage to establish gross pay for tax purposes. After normal payroll deductions, the full amount is deducted and paid to the Trust Fund.
Carpenter apprentice pay scale
Carpenter apprentices progress through 8 periods (600 hours each, except 1st Period at 1,000 hours) before reaching journeyman rate:
| Period | Hours Required | % of Journeyman | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft Assistant | — | — | $21.97 |
| Pre-Apprentice | 600 | — | $21.97 |
| 1st Period | 1,000 | — | $21.97 |
| 2nd Period | 600 | 50% | $27.21 |
| 3rd Period | 600 | 60% | $32.65 |
| 4th Period | 600 | 65% | $35.37 |
| 5th Period | 600 | 70% | $38.09 |
| 6th Period | 600 | 75% | $40.81 |
| 7th Period | 600 | 80% | $43.53 |
| 8th Period | 600 | 90% | $48.97 |
| Journeyman | — | 100% | $54.41 |
Piledriver / Bridge Carpenter apprentice pay scale
| Period | Hours | % of Journeyman | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Period | 1,000 | — | $21.97 |
| 2nd Period | 600 | 50% | $27.27 |
| 3rd Period | 600 | 60% | $32.72 |
| 4th Period | 600 | 65% | $35.45 |
| 5th Period | 600 | 70% | $38.18 |
| 6th Period | 600 | 75% | $40.91 |
| 7th Period | 600 | 80% | $43.63 |
| 8th Period | 600 | 90% | $49.09 |
| Journeyman | — | 100% | $54.54 |
Millwright apprentice pay scale
Millwrights have 10 periods (650 hours each) with a more gradual 5% progression per period:
| Period | Hours | % of Journeyman | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Apprentice | 500 | — | $21.97 |
| 1st Period | 650 | 50% | $27.46 |
| 2nd Period | 650 | 55% | $30.20 |
| 3rd Period | 650 | 60% | $32.95 |
| 4th Period | 650 | 65% | $35.69 |
| 5th Period | 650 | 70% | $38.44 |
| 6th Period | 650 | 75% | $41.18 |
| 7th Period | 650 | 80% | $43.93 |
| 8th Period | 650 | 85% | $46.67 |
| 9th Period | 650 | 90% | $49.42 |
| 10th Period | 650 | 95% | $52.16 |
| Journeyman | — | 100% | $54.91 |
Scheduled future raises (2027–2030)
The Carpenters Master Labor Agreement guarantees the following total package increases through 2030:
| Effective Date | Total Increase | Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | $3.00 | Wage $2.12 + H&W $0.75 + Supp Dues $0.11 + Apprenticeship $0.02 |
| July 1, 2027 | $3.50 | To be allocated by the Union |
| July 1, 2028 | $4.25 | To be allocated by the Union |
| July 1, 2029 | $4.50 | To be allocated by the Union |
Total increases over the life of the contract: $15.25. Contract expires June 30, 2030.
Premium pay differentials
| Premium | Rate |
|---|---|
| Foreman | +$3.00/hr over journeyman |
| Certified Welder | +$1.00/hr over journeyman |
| Layout Lead (operating instruments) | +$3.00/hr over journeyman |
Coverage area — 12 Southern California counties
This agreement covers union carpenters working in the following counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Inyo, and Mono.
Frequently asked questions
How much do union carpenters make in Southern California?
What is the carpenter apprentice starting pay?
How much do millwrights make in Southern California?
What fringe benefits do union carpenters get?
How long does it take to become a journeyman carpenter?
What raises are coming for Southern California carpenters?
How much does a carpenter foreman make?
About the agreement
The Carpenters Master Labor Agreement is negotiated between the Southern California Contractors Association (SCCA) and the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (United Brotherhood of Carpenters). It covers all union carpenters, cabinet installers, insulation installers, acoustical installers, piledrivers/bridge carpenters, and millwrights working in the 12 Southern California counties. The current agreement runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030.
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