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Construction carpenter vs apprentice carpenter

The differences between construction carpenters and apprentices carpenter can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a construction carpenter and an apprentice carpenter. Additionally, an apprentice carpenter has an average salary of $37,902, which is higher than the $36,405 average annual salary of a construction carpenter.

The top three skills for a construction carpenter include hand tools, safety rules and ladders. The most important skills for an apprentice carpenter are hand tools, ladders, and caulking.

Construction carpenter vs apprentice carpenter overview

Construction CarpenterApprentice Carpenter
Yearly salary$36,405$37,902
Hourly rate$17.50$18.22
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs31,51717,370
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 45%
Average age4242
Years of experience1212

What does a construction carpenter do?

A construction carpenter builds, designs, and installs structures, furniture, and fixtures from various materials. They are responsible for understanding and meeting the clients' needs, adhering to blueprints, operating different tools and equipment, measuring and cutting materials such as wood and metal, shaping and assembling various parts, and performing repairs or replacements. There are also instances where they must climb up high places, install doors and windows, and provide cost estimates to clients. Moreover, a construction carpenter typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a safe and efficient workflow.

What does an apprentice carpenter do?

An apprentice carpenter is responsible for assisting the carpenter on construction operations, ensuring the adherence to safety protocols, and following clients' specifications. Apprentice carpenters monitor carpentry tools and equipment adequacy, inspect the items for any defects for immediate repair or replacements, and analyze blueprints and schematics, especially for installing systems and essential components on the construction. An apprentice carpenter must have excellent organizational and time-management skills and extensive knowledge of the carpentry industry to support the project completion for the customer's satisfaction.

Construction carpenter vs apprentice carpenter salary

Construction carpenters and apprentices carpenter have different pay scales, as shown below.

Construction CarpenterApprentice Carpenter
Average salary$36,405$37,902
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $47,000Between $30,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityGarfield, NJSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyB.R. Fries ConstructorsCold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between construction carpenter and apprentice carpenter education

There are a few differences between a construction carpenter and an apprentice carpenter in terms of educational background:

Construction CarpenterApprentice Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 45%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction carpenter vs apprentice carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between construction carpenters' and apprentices carpenter' demographics:

Construction CarpenterApprentice Carpenter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.9% Female, 3.1%Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between construction carpenter and apprentice carpenter duties and responsibilities

Construction carpenter example responsibilities.

  • General construction including rough and finish carpentry, drywall, roofing, cement work, equipment operator, and landscaping
  • Interpret blueprints and schematics to construct scaffolding and supporting structures for major projects.
  • Complete home builds, additions, renovations (interior/kitchen), including plumbing, flooring.
  • Upgrade existing cooling tower (demo and install 2x6s,4x6s,2x4s, hogwire, and filters for water )
  • Arrange for subcontractors to deal with special areas such as heating, plumbing and electrical wiring work.
  • Design and layout in respect to flooring, wall, door, window systems, stairways and complete roofing systems.
  • Show more

Apprentice carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Operate tools ranging from drills, caulking guns, tape measure to chop saws, table saws, skill saws.
  • Provide help with certain tasks such as drywall, paint, caulking and framing, brickwork, roofing, and landscaping.
  • Trim work, framing, paint, Sheetrock.
  • Maintain a clean work site, while utilizing the proper PPE.
  • Help with multiple side jobs and bathroom renovations, from demo to finish.
  • Operate a terrain telescoping man lift, backhoe, skid steer and tractor.
  • Show more

Construction carpenter vs apprentice carpenter skills

Common construction carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Safety Rules, 16%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Demolition, 5%
  • Roofing, 4%
Common apprentice carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Caulking, 9%
  • Work Ethic, 9%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Reference Points, 7%

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