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The differences between construction carpenters and carpenter helpers 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 helper. Additionally, a construction carpenter has an average salary of $36,405, which is higher than the $34,192 average annual salary of a carpenter helper.
The top three skills for a construction carpenter include hand tools, safety rules and ladders. The most important skills for a carpenter helper are hand tools, ladders, and safety rules.
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.
A carpenter helper is responsible for assisting carpenters with the construction duties, performing construction tasks as needed, and ensuring the completion of the project timely and efficiently. Carpenter helpers maintain the construction tools and equipment, including cleaning the materials before and after every use and inspecting for any possible defects. They also help with measuring surfaces to establish reference points for the installment of systems and other construction materials. A carpenter helper must have excellent communication and organizational skills, having the initiative to perform heavy-duty tasks under minimal supervision.
Construction carpenters and carpenter helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Construction Carpenter | Carpenter Helper | |
| Average salary | $36,405 | $34,192 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $25,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Garfield, NJ | Northampton, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | B.R. Fries Constructors | Black & Veatch |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a construction carpenter and a carpenter helper in terms of educational background:
| Construction Carpenter | Carpenter Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between construction carpenters' and carpenter helpers' demographics:
| Construction Carpenter | Carpenter Helper | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1% | Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.7% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |