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The differences between construction carpenters and construction inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a construction carpenter, becoming a construction inspector takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a construction inspector has an average salary of $52,306, 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 inspector are asphalt, ACI, and construction inspection.
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 inspector is an individual who is responsible for inspecting construction sites to ensure that these sites are following local and building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. Construction inspectors use survey equipment, metering devices, and test equipment to perform inspections of plumbing, electrical and other systems within the construction. They approve building plans that are satisfactory and issue violation notices and stop orders when there are violations. Construction inspectors also keep photographs taken during inspections and provide written documentation.
Construction carpenters and construction inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Construction Carpenter | Construction Inspector | |
| Average salary | $36,405 | $52,306 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $36,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Garfield, NJ | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | B.R. Fries Constructors | Orange County Sanitation District |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Professional |
There are a few differences between a construction carpenter and a construction inspector in terms of educational background:
| Construction Carpenter | Construction Inspector | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | - | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between construction carpenters' and construction inspectors' demographics:
| Construction Carpenter | Construction Inspector | |
| Average age | 42 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| 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, 8.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 5% |