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Building carpenter vs carpenter helper

The differences between building carpenters 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 a building carpenter and a carpenter helper. Additionally, a building carpenter has an average salary of $37,278, which is higher than the $34,192 average annual salary of a carpenter helper.

The top three skills for a building carpenter include hand tools, customer service and roofing. The most important skills for a carpenter helper are hand tools, ladders, and safety rules.

Building carpenter vs carpenter helper overview

Building CarpenterCarpenter Helper
Yearly salary$37,278$34,192
Hourly rate$17.92$16.44
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs9,53029,208
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

Building carpenter vs carpenter helper salary

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

Building CarpenterCarpenter Helper
Average salary$37,278$34,192
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $49,000Between $25,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City-Northampton, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Black & Veatch
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between building carpenter and carpenter helper education

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

Building CarpenterCarpenter Helper
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Building carpenter vs carpenter helper demographics

Here are the differences between building carpenters' and carpenter helpers' demographics:

Building CarpenterCarpenter Helper
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.7% Female, 4.3%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 building carpenter and carpenter helper duties and responsibilities

Building carpenter example responsibilities.

  • General carpentry, painting, and plumbing to residential construction firm.
  • Build homes from the ground up, performing all tasks, excluding mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades.
  • Coordinate with crane operators and heavy equipment operators for structural assembly/ material / scaffolding location.
  • Participate in process improvement and strategic planning initiatives with leadership team.

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

Building carpenter vs carpenter helper skills

Common building carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Roofing, 12%
  • Plumbing, 8%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Drywall Installation, 4%
Common carpenter helper skills
  • Hand Tools, 30%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 6%
  • Door Frames, 6%
  • Caulking, 4%

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