Post job

Builder vs trim carpenter

The differences between builders and trim carpenters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a builder and a trim carpenter. Additionally, a trim carpenter has an average salary of $45,718, which is higher than the $33,117 average annual salary of a builder.

The top three skills for a builder include work ethic, safety rules and construction sites. The most important skills for a trim carpenter are hand tools, work ethic, and window sills.

Builder vs trim carpenter overview

BuilderTrim Carpenter
Yearly salary$33,117$45,718
Hourly rate$15.92$21.98
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs4,0744,929
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a builder do?

Builders are responsible for managing, coordinating, and working on the construction. They are also responsible for repairing and maintaining commercial and residential buildings. They oversee a project by either making arrangements with subcontractors to finish specific jobs or doing the work themselves. Builders need to ensure that the construction projects meet their client's requirements as well as the government and industry regulations. They often perform their work in an industrial setting. Their day-to-day activity depends on their specialization and level of experience.

What does a trim carpenter do?

A Trim Carpenter is a specialized worker whose task is to install and carry out repairs on molds and trim found on doors, windows, baseboards, and other ornamental pieces. He's also called a Finish Carpenter because his/her job also entails carrying out "finishing," generally making a carpentry project look detailed and defined in appearance, shape, and texture. Aside from leveling and trimming of windows and doors, you will also have to create pieces of customized woodworks that can serve as accessories for wooden fixtures.

Builder vs trim carpenter salary

Builders and trim carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.

BuilderTrim Carpenter
Average salary$33,117$45,718
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $44,000Between $34,000 And $60,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CATaunton, MA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleGeneral Electric
Best paying industryFinanceConstruction

Differences between builder and trim carpenter education

There are a few differences between a builder and a trim carpenter in terms of educational background:

BuilderTrim Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Builder vs trim carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between builders' and trim carpenters' demographics:

BuilderTrim Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 79.1% Female, 20.9%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.7% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between builder and trim carpenter duties and responsibilities

Builder example responsibilities.

  • Modify existing client websites with new HTML and CSS to achieve stakeholder requirements.
  • Manage the office for a small business; invoicing, accounts receivable, accounting, taxes, payroll, etc.
  • Operate a variety of tools, including power saws, planers, jointers, routers, and pneumatic equipment.
  • Boat builder Mig and tig welder
  • Replace broken pieces of the chep pallets
  • Preform aluminum spray transfer and Tig welding.
  • Show more

Trim carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Used woodworking tools such as jigsaws, planers, jointers, table saws and band saws.
  • Install and repair roofs, flashing/weatherproofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electric fixtures
  • Smooth or sand surfaces to remove ridges, tool marks, glue, or caulking.
  • Finish crown mold including caulking.
  • Focus on high-end remodel projects and new home construction.
  • Frame and sheet houses sometimes doing siding and shingles also
  • Show more

Builder vs trim carpenter skills

Common builder skills
  • Work Ethic, 21%
  • Safety Rules, 11%
  • Construction Sites, 10%
  • Windows, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Construction Process, 4%
Common trim carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Work Ethic, 11%
  • Window Sills, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 8%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 7%

Browse construction and extraction jobs