Carpenter Pay UK 2026/27
Carpenter pay varies by work type, with specialist second-fix and bespoke finish work usually commanding higher rates than basic first-fix tasks. Self-employed earnings are strongest in high-demand refurbishment markets.
At a Glance
- Apprentice Carpenter£18,000£16,481
- Qualified Carpenter (NVQ Level 2/3)£34,000£28,001
- Highly Experienced / Specialist / Self-employed£46,000£36,641
Carpenters and joiners represent one of the UK's largest construction trades, with CITB data indicating around 200,000 practitioners.
First-fix structural work and second-fix finishing work attract different rates, and second-fix joinery or bespoke cabinet work typically pays more due to precision and finish standards.
Self-employed carpenters in London and the South East can build stronger earnings through refurbishment projects where high-quality finishing supports premium day rates.
Your take-home pay
Enter your salary and we'll break down income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and your final take-home for 2026/27.
Your taxes (2026/27)
| Year | Month | Week | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | £37,500 | £3,125 | £721 |
| Pension (You)£375 Saved! | £1,875 | £156 | £36 |
| PensionEmployer Added! | £1,125 | £94 | £22 |
| Taxable Income | £35,625 | £2,969 | £685 |
| Personal allowance | £12,570 | - | - |
| National Insurance | £1,843 | £154 | £35 |
| Income Tax | £4,611 | £384 | £89 |
| Take Home Pay | £29,171 | £2,431 | £561 |
| Added to Pension | £3,000 | £250 | £58 |
| Opportunities Found | View My Opportunities → | ||
Carpenter Salary Breakdown UK 2026/27
The table below shows typical carpenter salaries across experience levels and regions, alongside estimated take-home pay after income tax and National Insurance. Click any gross salary figure to open it in the calculator.
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Income Tax and National Insurance in 2026/27
Like all UK workers, carpenters salaries are subject to income tax and National Insurance (NI) contributions. In the 2026/27 tax year:
| Up to £12,570 | 0% (Personal Allowance) |
| £12,571 – £50,270 | 20% (Basic Rate) |
| £50,271 – £125,140 | 40% (Higher Rate) |
| Above £125,140 | 45% (Additional Rate) |
| Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| £12,570 – £50,270 | 8% |
| Above £50,270 | 2% |
| - | - |
Use the calculator above to see your exact take-home pay after all deductions, including pension contributions and student loan repayments if applicable.
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Model your expenses, project your wealth, and find your path to financial independence.
Your Monthly Outgoings
Projected Pension
Estimated pension growth over 31 years. Assumes a fund fee of 0.35%. Growth adjusted for inflation.
Wealth & Financial Independence More Info
- In today's money, you'll have at least £21,600 / year (£1,800 / month) when you retire at 66 - just from your savings
- In real terms (where inflation is not removed), that's £38,340 / year (£3,195 / month)
- That means all your outgoings are covered without having to make any further contributions!
- All your expenses are covered for your retirement, but your wealth may start to decrease towards old age
Projected Wealth
Estimated income over 50 years, adjusted for inflation, with a 5% annual return and 0.35% yearly platform fee.
- FI Target = Annual outgoings (£21,600) * Years needed for 4.00% SWR (25.00) = £540,000
- Invested annual pension = £3,000
- Invested annual surplus = £2,171
- Inflation of 2.5% / year
- Assumes New State Pension, payments increasing with inflation (2.5% / year)
- Assumes student loans last 30 years max
- Assumes a flex-drawdown pension for illustration purposes
- Assumes you draw down pension up to the higher rate bracket (£50,270), then draw down your S&S ISA
- Pension lump sums are not included