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Construction carpenter vs concrete finisher

The differences between construction carpenters and concrete finishers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a concrete finisher has an average salary of $40,674, 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 concrete finisher are hand tools, work ethic, and finishers.

Construction carpenter vs concrete finisher overview

Construction CarpenterConcrete Finisher
Yearly salary$36,405$40,674
Hourly rate$17.50$19.55
Growth rate2%-2%
Number of jobs31,51715,309
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4240
Years of experience12-

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 concrete finisher do?

A concrete finisher is responsible for smoothing out concrete surfaces, ensuring that the final result followed the design and client's specifications. Concrete finishers operate special construction equipment to stabilize concrete forms. They also analyze blueprints and construction plans to identify necessary techniques and adjustments to deliver a high-quality project. A concrete finisher must also observe strict safety guidelines and procedures for doing the task and making sure that all tools are maintained. A concrete finisher must show excellent time-management, as well as the ability to multi-task to perform duties within a fast-paced environment.

Construction carpenter vs concrete finisher salary

Construction carpenters and concrete finishers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Construction CarpenterConcrete Finisher
Average salary$36,405$40,674
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityGarfield, NJSpokane, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyConnecticut
Best paying companyB.R. Fries ConstructorsFluor
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between construction carpenter and concrete finisher education

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

Construction CarpenterConcrete Finisher
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction carpenter vs concrete finisher demographics

Here are the differences between construction carpenters' and concrete finishers' demographics:

Construction CarpenterConcrete Finisher
Average age4240
Gender ratioMale, 96.9% Female, 3.1%Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%
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, 8.6% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 26.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between construction carpenter and concrete finisher 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

Concrete finisher example responsibilities.

  • Finish concrete structures using trowels, floats, straight edges, joiners, and screeds to obtain require texture and contour.
  • Replace and repair concrete or asphalt; framing; leveling; skil at using backhoe; bobcat; and whacker packer.
  • Rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.
  • Clean hand tools, set up scaffolding for masonry jobs, mix mortar and keep everyone supply with block and brick.
  • Follow safety guidelines * add icing to cook product * prepare donuts to get ship * clean work area
  • Used edging tools, jointers, brooms.
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Construction carpenter vs concrete finisher skills

Common construction carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Safety Rules, 16%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Demolition, 5%
  • Roofing, 4%
Common concrete finisher skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Work Ethic, 15%
  • Finishers, 9%
  • Sidewalks, 8%
  • Expansion Joints, 6%
  • Asphalt, 5%

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