Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Washington, DC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.9% of gross income.
Washington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (District of Columbia state estimate).
About rent and a carpenter salary
Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, DC →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Washington, DC?
Median rent in Washington is $2,532 a month. A typical carpenter in District of Columbia earns about $76,175 a year, which makes that rent 39.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in District of Columbia (~$76,175/yr) supports up to $1,904 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,532/mo, which is $628/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $37 an hour, a carpenter in District of Columbia works roughly 69.1 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,532.