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Construction helper vs general helper

The differences between construction helpers and general helpers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general helper has an average salary of $35,793, 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 general helper are tape measure, pallets, and hand tools.

Construction helper vs general helper overview

Construction HelperGeneral Helper
Yearly salary$34,148$35,793
Hourly rate$16.42$17.21
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs49,38169,738
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 48%
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 general helper do?

General helpers are skilled workers who help other workers by performing tasks that need less skill, such as holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment. These helpers are required to provide general labor support to all departments while performing a variety of job assignments. They must ensure that everyone in an organization is following safety rules and inspect areas for safety hazards. General helpers must also perform constant quality checks on the organization's establishments using its quality guidelines and operating procedures.

Construction helper vs general helper salary

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

Construction HelperGeneral Helper
Average salary$34,148$35,793
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $43,000Between $29,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityLindenhurst, NYChicago, IL
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyMorris & Ritchie Associates, Inc. (mra)Barry-Wehmiller
Best paying industryConstructionMedia

Differences between construction helper and general helper education

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

Construction HelperGeneral Helper
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction helper vs general helper demographics

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

Construction HelperGeneral Helper
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 89.1% Female, 10.9%Male, 77.4% Female, 22.6%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 30.7% Asian, 2.5% White, 50.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between construction helper and general helper 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

General helper example responsibilities.

  • Operate grinders, saws, CNC machines, punch press, straighten metal parts, and package products for immediate shipment.
  • Require bundling of steel tubing.
  • Calculate requirements, using basic math.
  • Assist with reading and mathematics lessons as a small group leader.
  • Be sure to have proper PPE and equipment need in case of emergency.
  • Used hand tools such as rakes, hedge and brush trimmers and brooms.
  • Show more

Construction helper vs general helper skills

Common construction helper skills
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Construction Sites, 11%
  • Plumbing, 9%
  • Demolition, 9%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 4%
Common general helper skills
  • Tape Measure, 11%
  • Pallets, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Machine Operators, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Data Entry, 5%

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