At a Glance
Quick Answer
Carpet Installers earn a median $22.55/hr ($46,900/yr). Top-paying state: Hawaii at $33.55/hr. True labor cost with burden: ~$30.44/hr.
Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.
Overview
Wage Summary
Distribution
Wage Distribution
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024. Percentiles represent the wage below which a given percentage of workers fall.
Geography
Top-Paying Regions
Top-Paying States
| # | State | Median Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $33.55 |
| 2 | Washington | $31.22 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $30.88 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $29.55 |
| 5 | Illinois | $28.22 |
Top-Paying Metro Areas
| # | Metro Area | Median Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu, HI | $36.22 |
| 2 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $34.88 |
| 3 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $33.55 |
| 4 | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $32.22 |
| 5 | Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $31.55 |
Cost Analysis
True Labor Cost
~$30.44/hr fully loaded
The base wage of $22.55/hr becomes approximately $30.44/hr after applying a 1.35x burden rate (payroll taxes, insurance, benefits, overhead).
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FAQ
Questions Contractors Ask
What is the average salary for carpet installers?
The national median salary for carpet installers is $46,900 per year ($22.55/hour). The mean hourly wage is $24.22. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $14.22/hr while top earners (90th percentile) make $38.55/hr.
What states pay carpet installers the most?
The top-paying states for carpet installers are Hawaii ($33.55/hr), Washington ($31.22/hr), Minnesota ($30.88/hr), Massachusetts ($29.55/hr), Illinois ($28.22/hr). These higher wages typically reflect strong union presence, high cost of living, and prevailing wage laws.
What is the true cost of hiring carpet installers?
The true cost is typically 1.35x the base wage after adding payroll taxes (7.65% FICA), workers compensation insurance (varies by trade), general liability, health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. For carpet installers earning $22.55/hr, the fully loaded rate would be approximately $30.44/hr.
How many carpet installers are employed in the US?
According to BLS data, there are approximately 24,100 carpet installers employed in the United States.