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Apprentice carpenter vs carpenter helper

The differences between apprentices carpenter and carpenter helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an apprentice carpenter and a carpenter helper. Additionally, an apprentice carpenter has an average salary of $37,902, which is higher than the $34,192 average annual salary of a carpenter helper.

The top three skills for an apprentice carpenter include hand tools, ladders and caulking. The most important skills for a carpenter helper are hand tools, ladders, and safety rules.

Apprentice carpenter vs carpenter helper overview

Apprentice CarpenterCarpenter Helper
Yearly salary$37,902$34,192
Hourly rate$18.22$16.44
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs17,37029,208
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does an apprentice carpenter do?

An apprentice carpenter is responsible for assisting the carpenter on construction operations, ensuring the adherence to safety protocols, and following clients' specifications. Apprentice carpenters monitor carpentry tools and equipment adequacy, inspect the items for any defects for immediate repair or replacements, and analyze blueprints and schematics, especially for installing systems and essential components on the construction. An apprentice carpenter must have excellent organizational and time-management skills and extensive knowledge of the carpentry industry to support the project completion for the customer's satisfaction.

What does a carpenter helper do?

A carpenter helper is responsible for assisting carpenters with the construction duties, performing construction tasks as needed, and ensuring the completion of the project timely and efficiently. Carpenter helpers maintain the construction tools and equipment, including cleaning the materials before and after every use and inspecting for any possible defects. They also help with measuring surfaces to establish reference points for the installment of systems and other construction materials. A carpenter helper must have excellent communication and organizational skills, having the initiative to perform heavy-duty tasks under minimal supervision.

Apprentice carpenter vs carpenter helper salary

Apprentices carpenter and carpenter helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Apprentice CarpenterCarpenter Helper
Average salary$37,902$34,192
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $47,000Between $25,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WANorthampton, MA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMassachusetts
Best paying companyCold Spring Harbor LaboratoryBlack & Veatch
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between apprentice carpenter and carpenter helper education

There are a few differences between an apprentice carpenter and a carpenter helper in terms of educational background:

Apprentice CarpenterCarpenter Helper
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Apprentice carpenter vs carpenter helper demographics

Here are the differences between apprentices carpenter' and carpenter helpers' demographics:

Apprentice CarpenterCarpenter Helper
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 93.3% Female, 6.7%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.7% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between apprentice carpenter and carpenter helper duties and responsibilities

Apprentice carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Operate tools ranging from drills, caulking guns, tape measure to chop saws, table saws, skill saws.
  • Provide help with certain tasks such as drywall, paint, caulking and framing, brickwork, roofing, and landscaping.
  • Trim work, framing, paint, Sheetrock.
  • Maintain a clean work site, while utilizing the proper PPE.
  • Help with multiple side jobs and bathroom renovations, from demo to finish.
  • Operate a terrain telescoping man lift, backhoe, skid steer and tractor.
  • Show more

Carpenter helper example responsibilities.

  • Put up and dismantle scaffolding, shoring, bracing, ladders, handrails, platforms and gangways.
  • Cut and put up Sheetrock, as well as cement board.
  • Apply caulking compounds by hand and with caulking gun to seal crevices.
  • Assist lead carpenter with various jobs, including hanging Sheetrock and painting.
  • Assist in demo and construction of homes with water and/or fire damage.
  • Assist lead carpenter of demo and remodeling that mainly consist in kitchen and bathrooms.
  • Show more

Apprentice carpenter vs carpenter helper skills

Common apprentice carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Caulking, 9%
  • Work Ethic, 9%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Reference Points, 7%
Common carpenter helper skills
  • Hand Tools, 30%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 6%
  • Door Frames, 6%
  • Caulking, 4%

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