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Carpentry vs finish carpenter

The differences between carpentries and finish 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 carpentry and a finish carpenter. Additionally, a finish carpenter has an average salary of $46,987, which is higher than the $34,448 average annual salary of a carpentry.

The top three skills for a carpentry include hand tools, door frames and roofing. The most important skills for a finish carpenter are hand tools, custom cabinets, and safety rules.

Carpentry vs finish carpenter overview

CarpentryFinish Carpenter
Yearly salary$34,448$46,987
Hourly rate$16.56$22.59
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs4,73711,653
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

Carpentry vs finish carpenter salary

Carpentries and finish carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.

CarpentryFinish Carpenter
Average salary$34,448$46,987
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $44,000Between $34,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyCSC Holdings LLCTurner Construction
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between carpentry and finish carpenter education

There are a few differences between a carpentry and a finish carpenter in terms of educational background:

CarpentryFinish Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Carpentry vs finish carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between carpentries' and finish carpenters' demographics:

CarpentryFinish Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 93.3% Female, 6.7%Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between carpentry and finish carpenter duties and responsibilities

Carpentry example responsibilities.

  • Assist on daily tasks such painting, roofing, drywall, masonry, electrical wiring, plumbing installation and landscaping.
  • Assist in applying adhesives, caulking, sealants and coatings.
  • Perform demo work to existing foundations so new material can be laid down.
  • Job site set up, prep, prepping tools, demo, excavation and aid to head carpenter
  • Full home renovations, drywall, finishing, framing, painting roofing, tile, installing cabinets, bath room appliances.
  • Place insulation before placing sheetrock.
  • Show more

Finish carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Install cabinets, vinyl, FRP, carpet, windows, Sheetrock, painting, HVAC
  • Assist with electrical wiring and HVAC installation.
  • Operate tools like lather, drills, sanders and planers.
  • Demo rooms and add on with new framing Sheetrock and flooring.
  • Assist HVAC technicians with changing filters and belts on the air handler units.
  • Complete demo of existing cabinets, tile, drywall, electrical wirings, appliances etc.
  • Show more

Carpentry vs finish carpenter skills

Common carpentry skills
  • Hand Tools, 17%
  • Door Frames, 10%
  • Roofing, 10%
  • Plumbing, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 8%
  • Drywall Installation, 6%
Common finish carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Custom Cabinets, 13%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Drywall Installation, 4%
  • Door Hardware, 4%
  • Window Installation, 3%

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