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Cabinet installer vs trim carpenter

The differences between cabinet installers 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 cabinet installer and a trim carpenter. Additionally, a trim carpenter has an average salary of $45,718, which is higher than the $41,193 average annual salary of a cabinet installer.

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

Cabinet installer vs trim carpenter overview

Cabinet InstallerTrim Carpenter
Yearly salary$41,193$45,718
Hourly rate$19.80$21.98
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs16,0504,929
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 43%
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 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.

Cabinet installer vs trim carpenter salary

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

Cabinet InstallerTrim Carpenter
Average salary$41,193$45,718
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $57,000Between $34,000 And $60,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CATaunton, MA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyMasterBrand CabinetsGeneral Electric
Best paying industryManufacturingConstruction

Differences between cabinet installer and trim carpenter education

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

Cabinet InstallerTrim Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Cabinet installer vs trim carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between cabinet installers' and trim carpenters' demographics:

Cabinet InstallerTrim Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.5% Female, 4.5%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
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, 7.1% 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 cabinet installer and trim 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

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

Cabinet installer vs trim 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 trim carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Work Ethic, 11%
  • Window Sills, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 8%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 7%

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