by our College Data Analytics Team
[Carpenters](/majors/construction-trades/carpenters/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their carpenters graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying carpenters schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send carpenters graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid carpenters graduates in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the carpenters program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,461.
Hawkeye Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in carpenters, landing the #2 spot this year. Hawkeye Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Students who complete the carpenters program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,602.
Students chasing top earnings in carpenters will find them at St Cloud Technical And Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. After graduating, carpenters degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College typically earn about $43,440 annually.
North Central Kansas Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying carpenters schools. Located in the rural area of Beloit, North Central Kansas Technical College is a public institution. Early-career carpenters graduates from North Central Kansas Technical College make a median of around $42,058 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Ranken Technical College one of the highest-paying schools for carpenters. Ranken Technical College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Early-career carpenters graduates from Ranken Technical College make a median of around $49,813 per year.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #6 position for carpenters graduate earnings this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a public school located in the city of Rochester. Carpenters graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of about $40,648 a year early in their careers.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying carpenters schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. After graduating, carpenters degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College typically earn about $34,421 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries carpenters graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 7 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.