How to hire a carpenter helper

How to hire a carpenter helper, step by step

Here's a step-by-step carpenter helper hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a carpenter helper job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new carpenter helper
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a carpenter helper do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a carpenter helper, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect carpenter helper also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of carpenter helpers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Carpenter Helper	Description	Hourly rate
   Carpenter Helper	Carpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, doorframes, partitions, rafters, and bridge supports—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.	$12-21
   Journeyman	A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman... Show more	$18-39
   Construction Foreman	A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays... Show more	$20-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Ladders
   • Safety Rules
   • Scaffolding
   • Door Frames
   • Caulking
   • Reference Points
   • Plumb Bobs
   • Construction Sites
   • Tape Measure
   • Window Frames
   • Drywall Installation
   • Sheetrock
   • Unload Materials

   Check all skills

   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.

   More carpenter helper duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your carpenter helper job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A carpenter helper can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, carpenter helpers' average salary in south dakota is 62% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level carpenter helpers 44% less than senior-level carpenter helpers.
   • Certifications. A carpenter helper with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a carpenter helper's salary.

   Average carpenter helper salary

   $16.44hourly

   $34,192 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level carpenter helper salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

   Average carpenter helper salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$53,093	$26
   2	New Hampshire	$49,541	$24
   3	Maine	$47,588	$23
   4	New York	$46,764	$22
   5	California	$42,410	$20
   6	Nevada	$36,275	$17
   7	Colorado	$34,660	$17
   8	Pennsylvania	$34,432	$17
   9	Arizona	$34,049	$16
   10	South Carolina	$32,145	$15
   11	Texas	$30,810	$15
   12	Tennessee	$30,294	$15
   13	Oklahoma	$30,009	$14
   14	Wisconsin	$29,816	$14
   15	Florida	$29,012	$14
   16	Illinois	$28,772	$14
   17	Kentucky	$28,534	$14
   18	North Carolina	$27,989	$13
   19	Iowa	$27,736	$13
   20	Virginia	$27,701	$13

   Average carpenter helper salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Black & Veatch	$50,516	$24.29
   2	The Rockefeller University	$42,617	$20.49
   3	Andersen	$39,594	$19.04
   4	MasTec	$39,291	$18.89	38
   5	Haskell	$39,261	$18.88	1
   6	Erickson-Hall Construction Co.	$38,742	$18.63
   7	Wanzek Construction	$38,732	$18.62
   8	The Lemoine Company	$37,626	$18.09	4
   9	Baker Concrete Construction	$37,546	$18.05	29
   10	ISEC	$37,156	$17.86	9
   11	PC Construction	$37,068	$17.82	22
   12	Innovative Construction Group	$36,966	$17.77
   13	WestCor Companies	$36,766	$17.68	2
   14	Zachry Group	$36,682	$17.64	7
   15	Sunrise Carpentry	$36,467	$17.53
   16	Brasfield & Gorrie	$36,136	$17.37	28
   17	Atlantic Constructors	$36,053	$17.33	5
   18	Layton Construction	$35,725	$17.18	9
   19	Danny's Construction	$35,313	$16.98
   20	Lyman Lumber Company	$35,228	$16.94	2

4. Writing a carpenter helper job description

   A carpenter helper job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a carpenter helper job description:

   Carpenter helper job description example

   Apply today – Start ASAP $17-21/hr
   

   Skills Help Preform Layouts Proficient with pulling wire & hanging lights Familiar with running and bending conduit Preform underground to trim out

   Qualifications Minimum 2 years of Experience Have all hand tools and a Drill Reliable transportation Work Safely and follow OSHA guidelines

   
   Perks

   -Long Term Work - $500 Sign-on Bonus - Paycheck Advances - Weekly Direct Deposit

   -Unlimited $250 Referral Bonuses - $50 first day referral bonus

   - 40 hrs a week + Overtime - Paid Holidays - 401K & Health Benefits

   - Free OSHA training and Lift Certifications - Milestone Rewards Program!

   
   

   CCS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

   Some of our positions are subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify candidates.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find carpenter helpers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any carpenter helpers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level carpenter helpers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your carpenter helper job on Zippia to find and attract quality carpenter helper candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit carpenter helpers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new carpenter helper

   Once you have selected a candidate for the carpenter helper position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new carpenter helper. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a carpenter helper?