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Commercial carpenter vs trim carpenter

The differences between commercial carpenters 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 commercial carpenter and a trim carpenter. Additionally, a commercial carpenter has an average salary of $46,563, which is higher than the $45,718 average annual salary of a trim carpenter.

The top three skills for a commercial carpenter include hand tools, ladders and OSHA. The most important skills for a trim carpenter are hand tools, work ethic, and window sills.

Commercial carpenter vs trim carpenter overview

Commercial CarpenterTrim Carpenter
Yearly salary$46,563$45,718
Hourly rate$22.39$21.98
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs41,3554,929
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a commercial carpenter do?

Commercial carpenters specialize in woodworks and are typically found in construction sites. They operate machinery and a range of equipment unfamiliar to residential carpenters. These carpenters provide their professional services to the construction of churches, bridges, schools, hospitals, and the like. Their job includes installing window frames, staircases, doors, and shelf fixtures. They usually work on more complex and sophisticated structures requiring their companies, agencies, or employers to give them health and safety insurance, given that they adhere to all safety rules and regulations.

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.

Commercial carpenter vs trim carpenter salary

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

Commercial CarpenterTrim Carpenter
Average salary$46,563$45,718
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $61,000Between $34,000 And $60,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CATaunton, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companySundt ConstructionGeneral Electric
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between commercial carpenter and trim carpenter education

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

Commercial CarpenterTrim Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Commercial carpenter vs trim carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between commercial carpenters' and trim carpenters' demographics:

Commercial CarpenterTrim Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 97.7% Female, 2.3%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 commercial carpenter and trim carpenter duties and responsibilities

Commercial carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
  • Repair and install of plumbing supply lines, sanitation lines, electrical and HVAC.
  • Apply caulking and sealing substances.
  • Ensure all OSHA regulations are observed and advise employees in safety.
  • Inspect job sites daily to ensure compliance with OSHA safety standards.
  • Work on top of ladders; operate interior/exterior scissor as well as Ariel lifts.
  • 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

Commercial carpenter vs trim carpenter skills

Common commercial carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Stud, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 6%
  • Door Frames, 5%
Common trim carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Work Ethic, 11%
  • Window Sills, 9%
  • Safety Rules, 8%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Scaffolding, 7%

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