Carpenter in Daly City, CA

The Salary Picture: Where Daly City Stands

As a local who's watched the construction market here for years, I can tell you Daly City offers a solid, if not spectacular, earning potential for carpenters. It sits comfortably above the national average but doesn't command the premium you'd see in San Francisco or Silicon Valley proper. The key is understanding where you fit in the local ecosystem.

The median salary for a carpenter here is $60,027/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.86/hour. To put that in perspective, the national average for carpenters is $56,920/year. So you're earning about $3,107 more per year on average by working in the Daly City metro area. This region supports about 199 carpenter jobs, indicating a stable but not explosive market. Looking ahead, the 10-year job growth projection is a modest 5%, which suggests steady, predictable demand rather than a boom.

Here’s how experience typically translates to pay in this specific market:

Experience Level	Typical Roles	Annual Salary Range (Est.)	Key Local Employers
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	Framer's Assistant, Finish Carpenter Helper	$45,000 - $52,000	Small residential builders, framing crews
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	Lead Carpenter, Remodeling Specialist	$55,000 - $68,000	Established local contractors, kitchen/bath firms
Senior (8-15 yrs)	Project Foreman, Custom Home Lead	$70,000 - $85,000	Sutter Health projects, school district upgrades
Expert (15+ yrs)	Master Carpenter, Business Owner	$85,000+	Specialized restoration, high-end custom build

Insider Tip: The jump from mid to senior level is where you see the biggest pay increase locally. Companies like to promote from within for foreman roles. If you're coming from a lower-cost-of-living state, know that your $60,027 median here feels more like $45,000 elsewhere due to expenses.

Compared to Other CA Cities: You'll earn more here than in Fresno or Bakersfield, but less than in San Jose ($67,500+), Oakland ($65,000+), or San Francisco proper ($72,000+). The trade-off? Daly City offers a more manageable, community-focused lifestyle than the intense pace of SF or the sprawl of San Jose, while still giving you access to those higher-paying gigs with a reasonable commute.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get brutally honest about the math. A $60,027 salary sounds decent until you factor in California's cost of living, which is 118.2 (US avg = 100). Daly City's average 1-bedroom rent is $2,304/month. Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for a single carpenter earning the median salary:

Category	Monthly Amount	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$5,002	($60,027 / 12)
Estimated Taxes	-$1,050	CA state (7.65%), Federal, FICA (15.3% on first $160k)
Net Take-Home	~$3,952	This is your actual cash flow.
Rent (1BR Avg)	-$2,304	Leaves you with $1,648 for everything else.
Utilities	-$180	PG&E, water, trash (shared in apartments).
Groceries	-$400	Basic, no eating out.
Transportation	-$250	BART pass, gas if you drive (gas is ~$4.50/gal).
Health Insurance	-$150	If employer covers part, else more.
Misc/Buffer	-$200	Tools, phone, entertainment, savings.
Remaining	~$518	This is your emergency fund/savings.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home? In short, not on this salary alone. The median home price in Daly City is over $950,000. A 20% down payment is $190,000. Even with two median-earner households, a $120,054 combined income would be severely stretched with current mortgage rates. The rule of thumb is 28-30% of gross for housing; with a $5,002 gross monthly, your max mortgage payment should be $1,500, which is impossible here. Most local carpenters I know rent or live with family, or own in more affordable neighboring cities like San Bruno or South San Francisco.

Insider Tip: Rent a room in a shared house in Westlake or North Daly City for $1,200-$1,500. It’s the only way to have meaningful savings or to save for a future down payment elsewhere.

The Jobs Are: Daly City's Major Employers

The job market here is a mix of residential, commercial, and institutional work. You won't see high-rise condos like in SF, but there's consistent demand for renovations, single-family homes, and public facility upgrades.

1. Sutter Health (Seton Medical Center & Local Clinics): A major employer for healthcare facility maintenance and renovation. They have a dedicated facilities team and hire contractors for capital projects. Hiring is steady, with a preference for carpenters with commercial experience and OSHA 30 certification.
2. Daly City School District (Jefferson Union High School District): Constant upkeep of schools like Jefferson High and Terra Nova. Bond measures fund renovations (seismic upgrades, new vocational tech shops). They hire for both in-house maintenance and through contracted projects. Insider Tip: These are union (Northern California Carpenters Union) jobs with excellent benefits and pension.
3. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) - Daly City Station: Ongoing station modernization, accessibility upgrades, and maintenance projects. Work is often done by union contractors. Requires working around live rail, so safety certifications are non-negotiable.
4. Local Residential Contractors (e.g., Gonsalves Construction, Daly City Builders): The backbone of the market. These are mid-sized firms doing custom homes and major remodels. They often post on Craigslist, Nextdoor, and local trade groups. Hiring is frequent but informal; networking is key.
5. San Mateo County Public Works: While the HQ is in Redwood City, they oversee projects in Daly City—park improvements, community center upgrades, and infrastructure. Contracts bid out to local firms, creating jobs for union and non-union carpenters.
6. The Home Depot (Daly City Store): For a different path, their Pro Services desk hires for contractor coordination. Many full-time carpenters work here part-time for benefits and tool discounts.
7. Specialty Restoration Firms (e.g., for historic homes in St. Francis Wood): High-end, niche work. Requires mastery of traditional joinery and period-specific techniques. Pay is higher ($75,000+), but jobs are scarce.

Hiring Trends: Demand is for versatile carpenters—frame, finish, and light concrete. The growth area is in "green" retrofits (energy efficiency) and aging-in-place modifications for Daly City's older housing stock. Digital skills (using project management apps like BuilderTREND) are a plus.

Getting Licensed in CA

California does not have a state-level journeyman carpenter's license. However, you must register as a carpenter with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) if you are working as an independent contractor or subcontractor. For employees, the process is about proving experience and getting certified.

1. Experience: The CSLB requires four years of journeyman-level experience (or a combination of education and experience) to get your own license (C-15 – Carpentry, or C-33 – Painting). As an employee, this is less critical.
2. Certifications (Highly Recommended):
   • OSHA 30-Hour Construction: Almost mandatory for any commercial or union job. Cost: $150-$250. Online courses are accepted.
   • NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research): Provides a nationally recognized credential. Many local unions and contractors use this. Apprenticeship programs often include it.
3. Apprenticeship: The most direct path. Contact the Bay Area Carpenters Union Local 180 (covering Daly City). Their apprenticeship is a 4-year, earn-while-you-learn program with classroom and on-the-job training. Starting wages are about 60% of journeyman scale (which is above the median $60,027). Full benefits are included.
4. Timeline: If you're starting from scratch, a union apprenticeship will take 4 years to complete. If you already have experience, you can test out of certain modules. Getting your own license takes at least 4 years of documented work.

Costs: Apprenticeship is low-cost (sometimes a small fee per year). OSHA 30 is ~$200. If you go for a specialized certification (e.g., Lead Renovator), add $300-$500.

Best Neighborhoods for Carpenters

Location is about balancing commute, rent, and lifestyle. Here’s the lay of the land:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For...
Westlake	Central, walkable to post office, libraries. Dense, older homes. Commute via CA-82 or BART.	$2,100 - $2,400	Those who want to be in the heart of it all, no car needed.
North Daly City	Quieter, more suburban. Close to SFPD, Daly City Station. Easy access to I-280 for jobs in SF.	$2,200 - $2,500	Families or couples who want space and a yard.
St. Francis Wood (Periphery)	Historic, ornate homes. Feels like a hidden jewel. Commute can be tricky.	$2,000 - $2,300	Aspiring custom home builders who want inspiration.
South San Francisco	Adjacent city, more industrial, closer to SFO. Slightly lower rents.	$2,000 - $2,300	Practical choice for access to airport-area jobs and lower rent.
San Bruno	Similar to South City, more retail, great BART access.	$2,200 - $2,500	Good compromise between affordability and commute to SF.

Insider Tip: If you're not tied to Daly City, consider Millbrae for a more upscale feel or Broadmoor for a tiny pocket of affordability. The sweet spot for affordability is often South San Francisco, where you're still close to everything.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Stagnation is a real risk in this market if you don't specialize. The 5% 10-year growth means you must be proactive.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Commercial/Institutional: +$5-$10/hour over residential. Requires knowing commercial codes (IBC).
  • Asbestos/Lead Abatement Certification: Can add $5-$15/hour for specialized demo work.
  • Kitchen & Bath Design/Installation: High demand, can lead to $70,000+ with a portfolio.
  • Historic Restoration: Niche but lucrative, often on a project basis.
• Advancement Paths: Most follow one of two tracks:
  1. Union Path: Apprentice → Journeyman → Foreman → Superintendent. Pay increases with union scale, which is often higher than non-union median. Benefits and pension are key.
  2. Owner/Operator Path: Journeyman → Lead Carpenter → Start your own small business (licensed as a C-15). This is where you can exceed $85,000, but you take on overhead, insurance, and marketing.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 5% growth is tied to housing maintenance, not new development. The opportunity is in the aging housing stock (post-1960s) needing seismic retrofitting and energy efficiency upgrades. Tech is also creeping in; being proficient with digital estimating tools will set you apart.

Insider Tip: The real money isn't in being the best hammer-swinger; it's in project management. Learn to read blueprints, estimate accurately, and manage a small crew. That’s how you jump from $60,027 to $90,000.

The Verdict: Is Daly City Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Stable, predictable job market tied to the broader Bay Area economy.	High cost of living, especially rent. The median salary doesn't comfortably cover it alone.
Access to union jobs with great benefits (Local 180).	Modest job growth means you must be skilled and adaptable to compete.
Less competitive than SF or South Bay; easier to network locally.	Limited high-end custom build market compared to Marin or Silicon Valley.
Diverse work: residential, commercial, institutional.	Commute pressure: To get the highest pay, you often need to commute to SF, San Mateo, or South City.
Good public transit (BART) reduces car dependency.	Weather is famously foggy and cool year-round, which can be a downer for some.

Final Recommendation: Daly City is a strong "B+" choice for a carpenter. It's not the top tier for pay, but it's a practical, stable base to build a career, especially through the union. It's ideal for someone who values community over glitz, is willing to start in the $55,000-$68,000 range, and plans to specialize or move into management within 5-7 years. If you're single and want to save aggressively, you'll need a roommate. If you're a family with two incomes, it's manageable. For a quick financial step-up, look to San Jose or Oakland. For a sustainable career with a life outside of work, Daly City is a compelling option.

FAQs

1. Can I make a good living as a non-union carpenter in Daly City?
Yes, but you'll likely earn 10-20% less than union scale, especially on commercial jobs. The trade-off is more flexibility. Many successful non-union carpenters work on residential projects and build their own client base. You'll need to be a master at networking and marketing.

2. Is it worth the commute to San Francisco for higher pay?
It depends. A carpenter in SF might make $72,000+, but after BART ($10/day) or parking ($300+/month), plus the time, the net gain is often minimal. The Daly City median of $60,027 with a 15-minute commute can feel more valuable than a SF wage with a 60-minute door-to-door trek. Run the numbers for your specific offer.

3. What's the biggest mistake new carpenters make here?
Not getting OSHA-certified. Many entry-level gals won't even look at your resume without it. It's a non-negotiable safety requirement for most employers. Also, underestimating the cost of living. Always negotiate rent with a roommate before accepting a job.

4. Are there any hidden costs for carpenters in Daly City?
Yes. Tool investment is significant. You'll spend thousands on a professional toolkit. Vehicle costs if you drive—a reliable truck or van is a must for many jobs. Union dues (if joining) are a cost, but they pay for themselves in higher wages and benefits. Always factor in the cost of continuing education for certifications.

5. What's the best way to get my first job here if I'm moving from out of state?
Leverage the union. Contact Local 180 before you move. They can set up an apprenticeship interview. Simultaneously, apply to small residential contractors on Indeed and Craigslist (Bay Area). Be upfront about your experience. Having a portfolio (photos of past work) is a huge advantage. Also, join local Facebook groups like "Daly City Contractors/Handyman" to find gigs.