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The differences between carpenters and lead 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 and a lead carpenter. Additionally, a lead carpenter has an average salary of $49,228, which is higher than the $41,748 average annual salary of a carpenter.
The top three skills for a carpenter include hand tools, ladders and install windows. The most important skills for a lead carpenter are safety rules, roofing, and plumbing.
| Carpenter | Lead Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $41,748 | $49,228 |
| Hourly rate | $20.07 | $23.67 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 5,862 | 6,359 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.86 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A carpenter is a skilled worker responsible for different areas of construction. Carpenters perform fabrication from raw materials. They use tools to create a successful finished product on their client's request. Carpenters must be able to multi-task, resolve any possible complications, strictly follow safety standards, and ensure that the project adheres to protocols without compromising quality and accuracy of work. Since carpentry is physical labor, carpenters are expected to be physically fit to accomplish various maintenance and production tasks.
A lead carpenter is responsible for monitoring field carpenters on performing construction duties, analyzing schematics and blueprints, following clients' specifications, completing the project within the agreed timeframe, and maintaining materials with the budget goals, ensuring the highest quality and client's satisfaction. Lead carpenters regularly inspect the project, perform adjustments as needed, repair defects and inconsistencies, and adhere to the safety standards and protocols during operations. A lead carpenter must have excellent knowledge of the carpentry industry to handle clients' demands and efficiently create the finished product.
Carpenters and lead carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Carpenter | Lead Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $41,748 | $49,228 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $54,000 | Between $36,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Argonne National Laboratory | Brasfield & Gorrie |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a carpenter and a lead carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Carpenter | Lead Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between carpenters' and lead carpenters' demographics:
| Carpenter | Lead Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% | Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 7.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |