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Construction worker vs general helper

The differences between construction workers 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 $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 general helper are tape measure, pallets, and hand tools.

Construction worker vs general helper overview

Construction WorkerGeneral Helper
Yearly salary$31,842$35,793
Hourly rate$15.31$17.21
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs53,06769,738
Job satisfaction4.33-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 48%
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 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 worker vs general helper salary

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

Construction WorkerGeneral Helper
Average salary$31,842$35,793
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $43,000Between $29,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYChicago, IL
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyCDM SmithBarry-Wehmiller
Best paying industryConstructionMedia

Differences between construction worker and general helper education

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

Construction WorkerGeneral Helper
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Construction worker vs general helper demographics

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

Construction WorkerGeneral Helper
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 93.8% Female, 6.2%Male, 77.4% Female, 22.6%
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, 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 worker and general helper 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

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 worker vs general helper skills

Common construction worker skills
  • Roofing, 17%
  • Safety Rules, 12%
  • Sheetrock, 5%
  • Tape Measure, 4%
  • Equipment Operators, 4%
  • Masonry, 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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