Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between construction carpenters and construction assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a construction assistant has an average salary of $39,072, 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 construction assistant are safety procedures, construction projects, and general contractors.
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 construction assistant performs various clerical and operational support tasks to assist construction managers and maintain smooth workflow operations. Their responsibilities usually include monitoring budgets and costs, handling calls and correspondence, purchasing construction materials according to project requirements, liaising with suppliers and construction contractors, and participating in managing the schedules and activities of the workers. A construction assistant may also perform inspections to identify problem areas and ensure that all procedures adhere to the safety codes and standards.
Construction carpenters and construction assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Construction Carpenter | Construction Assistant | |
| Average salary | $36,405 | $39,072 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $28,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Garfield, NJ | Springfield, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | B.R. Fries Constructors | Beazer Homes |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a construction carpenter and a construction assistant in terms of educational background:
| Construction Carpenter | Construction Assistant | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between construction carpenters' and construction assistants' demographics:
| Construction Carpenter | Construction Assistant | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1% | Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3% |
| 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, 10.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 30.8% Asian, 2.4% White, 50.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |