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Construction carpenter vs carpenter foreman

The differences between construction carpenters and carpenter foremen 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 a carpenter foreman. Additionally, a carpenter foreman has an average salary of $58,922, 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 a carpenter foreman are OSHA, door frames, and construction sites.

Construction carpenter vs carpenter foreman overview

Construction CarpenterCarpenter Foreman
Yearly salary$36,405$58,922
Hourly rate$17.50$28.33
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs31,51723,060
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 42%
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 a carpenter foreman do?

A Carpenter Foreman supervises the work of a group of people engaged in carpentry, locksmith, or bricklaying work. They inspect buildings or other structures reported to be in need of repair and estimate the necessary time and materials for restoring them.

Construction carpenter vs carpenter foreman salary

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

Construction CarpenterCarpenter Foreman
Average salary$36,405$58,922
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $47,000Between $43,000 And $79,000
Highest paying CityGarfield, NJSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyB.R. Fries ConstructorsSwinerton
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between construction carpenter and carpenter foreman education

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

Construction CarpenterCarpenter Foreman
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction carpenter vs carpenter foreman demographics

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

Construction CarpenterCarpenter Foreman
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.9% Female, 3.1%Male, 97.8% Female, 2.2%
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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between construction carpenter and carpenter foreman 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.
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Carpenter foreman example responsibilities.

  • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
  • Assist in direction of demo.
  • Read prints, order material, supervise, build, demo, remodel, advise sub-contractors
  • Handle responsibilities of supervising and coordinating activities of workers engage in formwork for placing concrete for bridge structures.
  • Replaced/Instal doors and windows, hang and finish Sheetrock, paint interior and exterior surfaces and install shingle and tin roofing.
  • Cut sidings and moldings, sections of weather stripping, openings in sheetrock and lumber using hand tools and power tools.
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Construction carpenter vs carpenter foreman skills

Common construction carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Safety Rules, 16%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Demolition, 5%
  • Roofing, 4%
Common carpenter foreman skills
  • OSHA, 13%
  • Door Frames, 12%
  • Construction Sites, 6%
  • Drywall Installation, 6%
  • Construction Projects, 6%
  • Sub Contractors, 4%

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