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The differences between construction carpenters and trim 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 trim carpenter. Additionally, a trim carpenter has an average salary of $45,718, 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 trim carpenter are hand tools, work ethic, and window sills.
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 Trim Carpenter is a specialized worker whose task is to install and carry out repairs on molds and trim found on doors, windows, baseboards, and other ornamental pieces. He's also called a Finish Carpenter because his/her job also entails carrying out "finishing," generally making a carpentry project look detailed and defined in appearance, shape, and texture. Aside from leveling and trimming of windows and doors, you will also have to create pieces of customized woodworks that can serve as accessories for wooden fixtures.
Construction carpenters and trim carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Construction Carpenter | Trim Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $36,405 | $45,718 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $34,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Garfield, NJ | Taunton, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | B.R. Fries Constructors | General Electric |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a construction carpenter and a trim carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Construction Carpenter | Trim Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between construction carpenters' and trim carpenters' demographics:
| Construction Carpenter | Trim Carpenter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| 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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |