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Construction worker vs construction apprentice

The differences between construction workers 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 $31,842 average annual salary of a construction worker.

The top three skills for a construction worker include roofing, safety rules and sheetrock. The most important skills for a construction apprentice are hand tools, demolition, and ladders.

Construction worker vs construction apprentice overview

Construction WorkerConstruction Apprentice
Yearly salary$31,842$47,983
Hourly rate$15.31$23.07
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs53,06740,760
Job satisfaction4.33-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

What does a construction worker do?

Construction workers are part of a crew laborers responsible for a number of easy to extremely challenging and hazardous on-site constructions tasks such as preparing the area, clearing debris, building scaffolding, bracing, loading and unloading building materials, and assisting with operating heavy equipment like concrete mixers. They specialize in a variety of occupations that involve building homes and businesses, roads and highways, tearing down properties, removing high-risk materials, and in the digging of tunnels and mine shafts. They test machinery and equipment to ensure they are working properly. They may also transport stocks and materials from suppliers and vehicles to the job site.

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 worker vs construction apprentice salary

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

Construction WorkerConstruction Apprentice
Average salary$31,842$47,983
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $43,000Between $32,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NY-
Highest paying stateNew York-
Best paying companyCDM Smith-
Best paying industryConstruction-

Differences between construction worker and construction apprentice education

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

Construction WorkerConstruction Apprentice
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction worker vs construction apprentice demographics

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

Construction WorkerConstruction Apprentice
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 93.8% Female, 6.2%Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 27.7% Asian, 2.8% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%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 worker and construction apprentice duties and responsibilities

Construction worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage and decide all remodel activities.
  • Operate cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments.
  • Operate the recycle baler machine.
  • Require PPE / OSHA requirements and respirator tests perform.
  • General cleaning responsibilities; run cash register and greet customers.
  • Assist in all phases of construction, demo, and remodeling on an apprentice basis
  • 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 worker vs construction apprentice skills

Common construction worker skills
  • Roofing, 17%
  • Safety Rules, 12%
  • Sheetrock, 5%
  • Tape Measure, 4%
  • Equipment Operators, 4%
  • Masonry, 4%
Common construction apprentice skills
  • Hand Tools, 15%
  • Demolition, 8%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Safety Rules, 7%
  • Roofing, 6%
  • Tape Measure, 6%

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