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Construction helper vs construction assistant

The differences between construction helpers and construction assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a construction assistant has an average salary of $39,072, 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 assistant are safety procedures, construction projects, and general contractors.

Construction helper vs construction assistant overview

Construction HelperConstruction Assistant
Yearly salary$34,148$39,072
Hourly rate$16.42$18.78
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs49,38131,209
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
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 assistant do?

A construction assistant performs various clerical and operational support tasks to assist construction managers and maintain smooth workflow operations. Their responsibilities usually include monitoring budgets and costs, handling calls and correspondence, purchasing construction materials according to project requirements, liaising with suppliers and construction contractors, and participating in managing the schedules and activities of the workers. A construction assistant may also perform inspections to identify problem areas and ensure that all procedures adhere to the safety codes and standards.

Construction helper vs construction assistant salary

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

Construction HelperConstruction Assistant
Average salary$34,148$39,072
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $43,000Between $28,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CityLindenhurst, NYSpringfield, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkHawaii
Best paying companyMorris & Ritchie Associates, Inc. (mra)Beazer Homes
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between construction helper and construction assistant education

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

Construction HelperConstruction Assistant
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction helper vs construction assistant demographics

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

Construction HelperConstruction Assistant
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 89.1% Female, 10.9%Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3%
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, 10.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 30.8% Asian, 2.4% White, 50.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between construction helper and construction assistant 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 assistant example responsibilities.

  • Fix electrical fixtures and manage plumbing problems effectively.
  • Employ a wide verity of hand and power tools including hoists, drills, precision measuring instruments and electronic testing devices.
  • Negotiate material sales contracts, document historical information, provide earned value management, and safety oversight for projects/programs.
  • Prepare plans and specifications for new and existing housing, supervise sub-contractors to insure compliance with HUD requirements.

Construction helper vs construction assistant skills

Common construction helper skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Construction Sites, 11%
  • Plumbing, 9%
  • Demolition, 9%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 4%
Common construction assistant skills
  • Safety Procedures, 15%
  • Construction Projects, 11%
  • General Contractors, 7%
  • Drywall Installation, 7%
  • Equipment Operators, 4%
  • Manual Labor, 4%

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