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The differences between carpenter helpers 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 carpenter helper and a trim carpenter. Additionally, a trim carpenter has an average salary of $45,718, which is higher than the $34,192 average annual salary of a carpenter helper.
The top three skills for a carpenter helper include hand tools, ladders and safety rules. The most important skills for a trim carpenter are hand tools, work ethic, and window sills.
| Carpenter Helper | Trim Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $34,192 | $45,718 |
| Hourly rate | $16.44 | $21.98 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 29,208 | 4,929 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
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.
Carpenter helpers and trim carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Carpenter Helper | Trim Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $34,192 | $45,718 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $45,000 | Between $34,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Northampton, MA | Taunton, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Black & Veatch | General Electric |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a carpenter helper and a trim carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Carpenter Helper | Trim Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between carpenter helpers' and trim carpenters' demographics:
| Carpenter Helper | Trim Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 2% | 2% |