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Cabinet installer vs carpenter helper

The differences between cabinet installers 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 cabinet installer and a carpenter helper. Additionally, a cabinet installer has an average salary of $41,193, which is higher than the $34,192 average annual salary of a carpenter helper.

The top three skills for a cabinet installer include customer service, hand tools and work ethic. The most important skills for a carpenter helper are hand tools, ladders, and safety rules.

Cabinet installer vs carpenter helper overview

Cabinet InstallerCarpenter Helper
Yearly salary$41,193$34,192
Hourly rate$19.80$16.44
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs16,05029,208
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 53%
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 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.

Cabinet installer vs carpenter helper salary

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

Cabinet InstallerCarpenter Helper
Average salary$41,193$34,192
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $57,000Between $25,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CANorthampton, MA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyMassachusetts
Best paying companyMasterBrand CabinetsBlack & Veatch
Best paying industryManufacturingConstruction

Differences between cabinet installer and carpenter helper education

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

Cabinet InstallerCarpenter Helper
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cabinet installer vs carpenter helper demographics

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

Cabinet InstallerCarpenter Helper
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.5% Female, 4.5%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
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, 7.8% 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 cabinet installer and carpenter helper 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

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

Cabinet installer vs carpenter helper skills

Common cabinet installer skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Hand Tools, 20%
  • Work Ethic, 17%
  • Custom Cabinets, 11%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 10%
  • Tape Measure, 3%
Common carpenter helper skills
  • Hand Tools, 30%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 6%
  • Door Frames, 6%
  • Caulking, 4%

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