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Construction foreman vs journeyman carpenter

The differences between construction foremen and journeyman carpenters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a construction foreman, becoming a journeyman carpenter takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a construction foreman has an average salary of $57,121, which is higher than the $48,428 average annual salary of a journeyman carpenter.

The top three skills for a construction foreman include work ethic, CDL and OSHA. The most important skills for a journeyman carpenter are hand tools, safety rules, and work ethic.

Construction foreman vs journeyman carpenter overview

Construction ForemanJourneyman Carpenter
Yearly salary$57,121$48,428
Hourly rate$27.46$23.28
Growth rate-3%2%
Number of jobs40,6218,871
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 36%
Average age4642
Years of experience-12

What does a construction foreman do?

A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays. They also identify cost-reduction opportunities by handling negotiation with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. A construction foreman inspects the quality of materials, including the equipment and machinery, allocates adequate resources for production, and resolves issues immediately.

What does a journeyman carpenter do?

Journeyman carpenters perform carpentry work in buildings and repair structures and elements, primarily by using wood and metal. Journeyman carpenters work directly in a team while reporting to a foreman. Most construction companies, builders, and construction staff hire journeyman carpenters to work mostly during daytime weekday shifts, but evening shifts, weekend, and on-call basis hours are sometimes required. Travel is commonly required for this job, as journeyman carpenters go to and from different supply houses, job sites, and the company shop.

Construction foreman vs journeyman carpenter salary

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

Construction ForemanJourneyman Carpenter
Average salary$57,121$48,428
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $77,000Between $36,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityHartford, CTSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyRepsol Energy North America CorporationPacific Northwest National Laboratory
Best paying industryProfessionalConstruction

Differences between construction foreman and journeyman carpenter education

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

Construction ForemanJourneyman Carpenter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction foreman vs journeyman carpenter demographics

Here are the differences between construction foremen' and journeyman carpenters' demographics:

Construction ForemanJourneyman Carpenter
Average age4642
Gender ratioMale, 97.5% Female, 2.5%Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 1.5% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%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, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between construction foreman and journeyman carpenter duties and responsibilities

Construction foreman example responsibilities.

  • Manage installation of large scale CCTV and delay exiting systems.
  • Manage daily oversight of moon bounce business, taking stock of inventory and ensuring delivery to customers.
  • Manage different crews in delegating responsibilities to other workers for windows and curtain wall installations.
  • Supervise subcontractors and conduct onsite inspections to ensure exceptional project outcomes achieve on-time and within budget.
  • Operate power saws, planers, jointers, routers and pneumatic equipment.
  • Perform duties associate with building construction and home improvements daily while following all OSHA safety regulations.
  • Show more

Journeyman carpenter example responsibilities.

  • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.
  • Supervise construction of residential home additions, roofing, decking and siding projects for a residential remodeling organization.
  • Manage complete renovations and new construction of banks for commercial construction company.

Construction foreman vs journeyman carpenter skills

Common construction foreman skills
  • Work Ethic, 10%
  • CDL, 10%
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Construction Equipment, 5%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
Common journeyman carpenter skills
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • Safety Rules, 10%
  • Work Ethic, 10%
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Scaffolding, 8%
  • Scissor Lifts, 6%

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