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Cabinet installer vs apprentice carpenter

The differences between cabinet installers and apprentices carpenter can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a cabinet installer and an apprentice carpenter. Additionally, a cabinet installer has an average salary of $41,193, which is higher than the $37,902 average annual salary of an apprentice carpenter.

The top three skills for a cabinet installer include customer service, hand tools and work ethic. The most important skills for an apprentice carpenter are hand tools, ladders, and caulking.

Cabinet installer vs apprentice carpenter overview

Cabinet InstallerApprentice Carpenter
Yearly salary$41,193$37,902
Hourly rate$19.80$18.22
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs16,05017,370
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 45%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a cabinet installer do?

A cabinet installer specializes in installing cabinets in homes and establishments. Their responsibilities revolve around meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, measuring the area for installation, maintaining records, developing plans and strategies, attaching units to the wall, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. There are also instances when they must cut wood and even participate in constructing the cabinet. Moreover, a cabinet installer typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

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.

Cabinet installer vs apprentice carpenter salary

Cabinet installers and apprentices carpenter have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cabinet InstallerApprentice Carpenter
Average salary$41,193$37,902
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $57,000Between $30,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyMasterBrand CabinetsCold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Best paying industryManufacturingConstruction

Differences between cabinet installer and apprentice carpenter education

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

Cabinet InstallerApprentice Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 45%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cabinet installer vs apprentice carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between cabinet installers' and apprentices carpenter' demographics:

Cabinet InstallerApprentice Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.5% Female, 4.5%Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between cabinet installer and apprentice carpenter duties and responsibilities

Cabinet installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Smooth and sand surfaces to remove ridges, tool marks, glue, or caulking.
  • Operate all power tools, saws, drills, jigs, jointers, plainer, sanders, etc.
  • Measure, cut and hang Sheetrock.
  • Conduct training on OSHA regulations for all employees.
  • Light demo wall repairing and painting and wall unit installations
  • Show more

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

Cabinet installer vs apprentice carpenter skills

Common cabinet installer skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Hand Tools, 20%
  • Work Ethic, 17%
  • Custom Cabinets, 11%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 10%
  • Tape Measure, 3%
Common apprentice carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Caulking, 9%
  • Work Ethic, 9%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Reference Points, 7%

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