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Construction helper vs construction apprentice

The differences between construction helpers and construction apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a construction apprentice has an average salary of $47,983, which is higher than the $34,148 average annual salary of a construction helper.

The top three skills for a construction helper include hand tools, construction sites and plumbing. The most important skills for a construction apprentice are hand tools, demolition, and ladders.

Construction helper vs construction apprentice overview

Construction HelperConstruction Apprentice
Yearly salary$34,148$47,983
Hourly rate$16.42$23.07
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs49,38140,760
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

What does a construction helper do?

Construction helpers assist construction workers like carpenters, masons, painters, welders, etc. Their job is to help in unloading construction materials, setting up the equipment needed for the day's work, and cleaning up the worksite to prevent accidents during the night. Working as these helpers require skills like mechanical skills, organizational skills, and math skills. Aside from the mentioned skills, they also need to have stamina and strength to last the whole day lifting, stoop, and stand to complete the job on time.

What does a construction apprentice do?

Construction apprentices are individuals who are trained by experienced professionals for entry-level tasks involving the trade of construction work on the job. Their complimentary training experience helps them to become skilled in a specific trade by combining hands-on work and classroom learning, as they apply the lessons learned through working. Since apprenticeship is considered full-time employment with an average length of 3-4 years, these individuals are being paid just like other employees and may soon have a permanent job.

Construction helper vs construction apprentice salary

Construction helpers and construction apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Construction HelperConstruction Apprentice
Average salary$34,148$47,983
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $43,000Between $32,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityLindenhurst, NY-
Highest paying stateNew York-
Best paying companyMorris & Ritchie Associates, Inc. (mra)-
Best paying industryConstruction-

Differences between construction helper and construction apprentice education

There are a few differences between a construction helper and a construction apprentice in terms of educational background:

Construction HelperConstruction Apprentice
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction helper vs construction apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between construction helpers' and construction apprentices' demographics:

Construction HelperConstruction Apprentice
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 89.1% Female, 10.9%Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 30.6% Asian, 2.4% White, 48.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 29.8% Asian, 2.6% White, 51.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between construction helper and construction apprentice duties and responsibilities

Construction helper example responsibilities.

  • Unload equipment, such as shovels, lumber, hammers, power saws, air-compressors, powerdrills, concrete rebar.
  • Assist in a variety of construction jobs, including sheetrock installation and repair, painting, caulking, and general cleanup.
  • Set material in stands, racks, hoists, etc.
  • Assist carpenter in all formwork relate functions.
  • Help journeymen install HVAC and phone/data systems in commercial buildings.
  • Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations or compact and level earth to grade specifications.
  • Show more

Construction apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Fix electrical fixtures and manage plumbing problems effectively.
  • Remodel houses and learned carpentry, plumping, HVAC and tiling for rental homes own by the companyOwner.
  • Apply caulking compounds by hand or caulking gun to seal.
  • Operate power tools, measuring equipment, mechanical hoists and other instruments to complete jobs.
  • Set braces to support the sides of excavations, clean up rubble/debris and remove waste materials.
  • Perform maintenance tasks including basic electric circuit and plumbing.
  • Show more

Construction helper vs construction apprentice skills

Common construction helper skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Construction Sites, 11%
  • Plumbing, 9%
  • Demolition, 9%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 4%
Common construction apprentice skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Demolition, 8%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Roofing, 6%
  • Tape Measure, 6%

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