Carpenters vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Carpenters professionals earn $15,110 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 34.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$98,370
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $35,020 | +$3,740 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $37,610 | +$9,940 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $44,200 | +$15,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $48,160 | +$27,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $57,830 | +$40,540 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $44,720 | +$19,320 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Carpenters or Medical Assistants?
Carpenters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,110 (34.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Carpenters and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS