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Construction carpenter vs framer

The differences between construction carpenters and framers 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 framer. Additionally, a construction carpenter has an average salary of $36,405, which is higher than the $34,298 average annual salary of a framer.

The top three skills for a construction carpenter include hand tools, safety rules and ladders. The most important skills for a framer are customer service, safety rules, and nail guns.

Construction carpenter vs framer overview

Construction CarpenterFramer
Yearly salary$36,405$34,298
Hourly rate$17.50$16.49
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs31,5175,247
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 44%
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 framer do?

A framer is responsible for devising work plans and assembling the framework structure essential for constructing houses and other facilities. Moreover, they are also responsible for finding the appropriate materials needed for the project, setting the budget, managing the schedule, and consulting with the client for their preferences. The duties of a framer mainly involve physical work and attention to detail. There are instances when one must operate various power tools and equipment, understand blueprints, and even climb up high places.

Construction carpenter vs framer salary

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

Construction CarpenterFramer
Average salary$36,405$34,298
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityGarfield, NJApple Valley, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyB.R. Fries ConstructorsBuilders FirstSource
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between construction carpenter and framer education

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

Construction CarpenterFramer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction carpenter vs framer demographics

Here are the differences between construction carpenters' and framers' demographics:

Construction CarpenterFramer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 96.9% Female, 3.1%Male, 88.2% Female, 11.8%
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 1.6% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between construction carpenter and framer 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

Framer example responsibilities.

  • Build walls, soffits, bulkheads, jigs.
  • Build walls, soffits, bulk heads, jigs.
  • Help set up temporary scaffolding.
  • Install siding and shingles to exterior.
  • Light demo clean up and organization of construction materials.
  • Used impact drills, drivers, cut metal studs with snips
  • Show more

Construction carpenter vs framer skills

Common construction carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Safety Rules, 16%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Scaffolding, 9%
  • Demolition, 5%
  • Roofing, 4%
Common framer skills
  • Customer Service, 26%
  • Safety Rules, 13%
  • Nail Guns, 10%
  • Tape Measure, 10%
  • Window Frames, 6%
  • Sheetrock, 3%

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