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Building carpenter vs trim carpenter

The differences between building carpenters 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 building carpenter and a trim carpenter. Additionally, a trim carpenter has an average salary of $45,718, which is higher than the $37,278 average annual salary of a building carpenter.

The top three skills for a building carpenter include hand tools, customer service and roofing. The most important skills for a trim carpenter are hand tools, work ethic, and window sills.

Building carpenter vs trim carpenter overview

Building CarpenterTrim Carpenter
Yearly salary$37,278$45,718
Hourly rate$17.92$21.98
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs9,5304,929
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

Building carpenter vs trim carpenter salary

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

Building CarpenterTrim Carpenter
Average salary$37,278$45,718
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $49,000Between $34,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City-Taunton, MA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-General Electric
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between building carpenter and trim carpenter education

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

Building CarpenterTrim Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Building carpenter vs trim carpenter demographics

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

Building CarpenterTrim Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.7% Female, 4.3%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
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, 7.1% 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 building carpenter and trim carpenter 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.

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

Building carpenter vs trim carpenter skills

Common building carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Roofing, 12%
  • Plumbing, 8%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Drywall Installation, 4%
Common trim carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Work Ethic, 11%
  • Window Sills, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 8%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 7%

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