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The differences between construction carpenters and general foremen 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 general foreman takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a general foreman has an average salary of $48,517, 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 general foreman are safety procedures, OSHA, 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.
Using their knowledge and expertise of all construction disciplines, a general foreman plans and oversees operations within a construction site to ensure that everything is running smoothly. They are typically in charge of conducting regular inspections, coordinating with engineers and architects, managing the budget and expenditures, supervising workers, and ensuring that the project moves according to the desired time frame. Furthermore, a general foreman implements all safety regulations and policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment for everyone.
Construction carpenters and general foremen have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Construction Carpenter | General Foreman | |
| Average salary | $36,405 | $48,517 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $37,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Garfield, NJ | Saint Louis, MO |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | B.R. Fries Constructors | Pacifi |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a construction carpenter and a general foreman in terms of educational background:
| Construction Carpenter | General Foreman | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between construction carpenters' and general foremen' demographics:
| Construction Carpenter | General Foreman | |
| Average age | 42 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1% | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% |
| 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, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 1.4% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |