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The differences between construction carpenters and lead carpenters 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 lead carpenter. Additionally, a lead carpenter has an average salary of $49,228, 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 lead carpenter are safety rules, roofing, and plumbing.
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 lead carpenter is responsible for monitoring field carpenters on performing construction duties, analyzing schematics and blueprints, following clients' specifications, completing the project within the agreed timeframe, and maintaining materials with the budget goals, ensuring the highest quality and client's satisfaction. Lead carpenters regularly inspect the project, perform adjustments as needed, repair defects and inconsistencies, and adhere to the safety standards and protocols during operations. A lead carpenter must have excellent knowledge of the carpentry industry to handle clients' demands and efficiently create the finished product.
Construction carpenters and lead carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Construction Carpenter | Lead Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $36,405 | $49,228 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $36,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Garfield, NJ | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | B.R. Fries Constructors | Brasfield & Gorrie |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a construction carpenter and a lead carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Construction Carpenter | Lead Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between construction carpenters' and lead carpenters' demographics:
| Construction Carpenter | Lead Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1% | Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4% |
| 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, 7.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |