What Does a Finish Carpenter Do?

Finish carpenters are skilled professionals who perform the final touches on homes after the structure is fully built. These carpenters must carry out various tasks such as installing doors, building bookshelves, and adding designs to window and door trims. They are required to follow work from sketches and drawings to complete the job to the right specifications as well as collecting the correct materials before beginning a job. Finish carpenters must also dismantle and demolish before carrying out repairs or installing new materials.

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Finish Carpenter Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real finish carpenter resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

Install cabinets, vinyl, FRP, carpet, windows, Sheetrock, painting, HVAC
Assist with electrical wiring and HVAC installation.
Operate tools like lather, drills, sanders and planers.
Demo rooms and add on with new framing Sheetrock and flooring.
Assist HVAC technicians with changing filters and belts on the air handler units.
Complete demo of existing cabinets, tile, drywall, electrical wirings, appliances etc.
Install and repair electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, fixtures, wall sockets, plugs, switches.
Remodel cabins & other buildings adding kitchens, baths, bringing buildings up to code for commercial use.
Cut and bolt up pipe in heating and cooling systems involving steam, ventilation, hydraulics, chemicals and formwork.
Accomplishmentshelp finish a new car dealer ship.Skills UsedBasic mathematics.
Frame and insulate walls-Completed demo work-instal cabinets, flooring, and new trim-Made and finish trim-Constructed stairway
Assist carpenters with demolition, revising and executing scaffolds in designate areas within an industrial plant.
Apply caulking compounds by hand or with caulking gun.
Finish repairs in a manner that protects customer's investment including caulking, painting, staining, siding, etc.
Frame walls, install metal roofs, siding, and trim, set trusses, laid plywood and shingles

Finish Carpenter Job Description

Between the years 2018 and 2028, finish carpenter jobs are expected to undergo a growth rate described as "faster than average" at 8%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So if the thought "should I become a finish carpenter?" Has crossed your mind, maybe you should take the growth rate into account. In addition, the number of finish carpenter opportunities that are projected to become available by 2028 is 80,100.

A finish carpenter annual salary averages $46,987, which breaks down to $22.59 an hour. However, finish carpenters can earn anywhere from upwards of $34,000 to $63,000 a year. This means that the top-earning finish carpenters make $22,000 more than the lowest-earning ones.

It's hard work to become a finish carpenter, but even the most dedicated employees consider switching careers from time to time. Whether you're interested in a more challenging position or just looking for a fresh start, we've compiled extensive information on becoming a mason, construction foreman, journeyman, and general foreman.

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12 Finish Carpenter Resume Examples

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Natalie Stephens Finish Carpenter Contact Information Macedonia, OH (440) 555-6363 nstephens@example.com Skills Snow Removal Custom Homes Plumb BOB Residential Buildings Plumb Bobs Building Plans Kitchen Cabinets Safety Rules Power Tools Wooden Fixtures Employment History Finish Carpenter 2011 - Present Tradesmen International Macedonia, OH Performed finishing/taping work and installing windows on occasion. Verify trueness of structure, using plumb bob and level. Worked with all different types of power and hand tools, power saws, nail guns, welding machines Carpenter Assistant 2004 - 2011 Job Warren, MI General Labor Worked after Hurricane Katrina to rebuild residential homes in specific locations throughout Louisiana. Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment. Installed, built and repaired doors, cabinets, shelves, windows, blinds and other things as per requirement. Residential Carpenter 1997 - 2004 Tradesmen International Macedonia, OH Install solid surface counter tops. Instaled or repair safer lock , door khob or door closer using hand tools and power tools. Education High School Diploma 1997 - 1997


Jean Arnold Finish Carpenter Contact Info Tempe, AZ (580) 555-0866 jarnold@example.com Skills Reference PointsCustomer ServiceCompany VehicleWooden StructuresCrew MembersDefective PartsDoor GlassStore FrontsClear CoatWindows Employment History Finish Carpenter 2020 - Present Carpenter Tempe, AZ Maintained all power and hand tools for woodworking shop. Install hardwood floors and perform HVAC services. Use power saws, power nailers, forklifts and hand tools. Followed all safety rules imposed by OSHA Install structures or fixtures, such as windows, frames, trim, or hardware, using carpenters. Carpenter Supervisor 2013 - 2020 Tradesmen International Tempe, AZ Verify trueness of structure, using plumb bob and level. Follow established Osha 10 safety rules, regulations and maintain a safe, clean environment for myself and team. Glass Installer 2010 - 2013 Aerotek Phoenix, AZ Load materials, driver, employee tv installation cable, internet and telephone in the residential market. Installed glass for multiple styles of windows, casements, and patio doors. Order material, sort all equipment, maintain constant communication with customer. Education High School Diploma 2010 - 2010


Nancy Powell Finish Carpenter Columbia, MD (760) 555-4828 npowell@example.com Experience Finish Carpenter2020 - Present LAKEWOOD CARPENTRY SERV•Columbia, MD Helped to construct the base structure of new residential homes. Reference blueprints to prepare project layouts, dimensions and materials required. Install trim, interior doors, windows, baseboard and crown moldings Used a variety of hand tools, including a hammer, speed square, and a tape measure. Finish Carpenter2019 - 2020 Turner Industries•Baton Rouge, LA Assist craftsmen in constructing and setting concrete forms and rebar Use of electrical, air, and hand tools. Utilized traditional hand tools and power tools in construction. Provided assistance to subcontractors on all projects, Safety training on every project from OSHA requirements, and CPR certification. worked with different tools such as, nail guns, saws, hammer tacker, and more. Cabinet Installer2016 - 2019 Lowe's•New York, NY Assembled, repaired, delivered, and installed office furniture and interior walls. Processed every install and face to face billing transaction with each customer; used company vehicle to work alone on site. Installed custom cabinets, made templates for countertops, countertop fabrication and installation. Skills Base BoardsPower ToolsProject LayoutCustomer ServiceVerbal InstructionsSandWooden FixturesCustom CabinetsDrywall RepairSnow Removal Education High School Diploma 2016 - 2016

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Finish Carpenter Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 19% of Finish Carpenters are proficient in Hand Tools, Custom Cabinets, and Safety Rules. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Detail oriented, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Finish Carpenters that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Hand Tools, 19%
Boat Builder - use of various power and hand tools in the assembly and detailing of luxury yachts.
Custom Cabinets, 13%
Detailed workmanship on custom cabinets, finished carpentry and other customer inspired ideas with a goal towards complete customer satisfaction.
Safety Rules, 7%
Follow safety rules, and guide my employees to always follow the rules and regulations.
Drywall Installation, 4%
Performed demolition, framing, drywall installation, painting, moulding installation, roofing and concrete work.
Door Hardware, 4%
Installed cabinetry, entry and interior doors, commercial entry doors, and door hardware in both commercial and residential buildings.
Window Installation, 3%
Repaired furniture, Furniture making, Window Installation, Cabinet Installation, Carpet and Hardwood floor Installation.

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Some of the skills we found on finish carpenter resumes included "hand tools," "custom cabinets," and "safety rules." We have detailed the most important finish carpenter responsibilities below.

Business skills can be considered to be the most important personality trait for a finish carpenter to have. According to a finish carpenter resume, "self-employed carpenters must bid on new jobs, track inventory, and plan work assignments." Finish carpenters are able to use business skills in the following example we gathered from a resume: "install cabinets, counter tops, elevations, etc., in stores and businesses all over the united states. "

Another commonly found skill for being able to perform finish carpenter duties is the following: detail oriented. According to a finish carpenter resume, "carpenters make precise cuts, measurements, and modifications." Check out this example of how finish carpenters use detail oriented: "designed, built, and installed detailed cabinetry for custom homes completed final punch lists in all trades to close-out homes. "

Finish carpenters are also known for math skills, which can be critical when it comes to performing their duties. An example of why this skill is important is shown by this snippet that we found in a finish carpenter resume: "carpenters frequently use basic math skills to calculate area, precisely cut material, and determine the amount of material needed to complete the job." We also found this resume example that details how this skill is put to the test: "used mathematics to measure the angles needed for every cut. "

A finish carpenter responsibilities sometimes require "physical strength." The responsibilities that rely on this skills are shown by this resume excerpt: "carpenters use heavy tools and materials that can weigh up to 100 pounds" This resume example shows how this skill is used by finish carpenters: "performed tasks involving physical labor at building construction projects. "

Yet another important skill that a finish carpenter must demonstrate is "problem-solving skills." Carpenters may need to modify building material and make adjustments onsite to complete projects This is clearly demonstrated in this example from a finish carpenter who stated: "performed maintenance solutions such as: carpentry, window installations, and painting. "

Another skill commonly found on finish carpenter resumes is "dexterity." This description of the skill was found on several finish carpenter resumes: "carpenters use many tools and need hand-eye coordination to avoid injury or damaging materials" Here's an example from a resume of how this skill could fit into the day-to-day finish carpenter responsibilities: "operated lifts and saw to construction of roofing elements. "

See the full list of finish carpenter skills.

After discovering the most helpful skills, we moved onto what kind of education might be helpful in becoming a finish carpenter. We found that 24.3% of finish carpenters have graduated with a bachelor's degree and 2.3% of people in this position have earned their master's degrees. While some finish carpenters have a college degree, you may find it's also true that generally it's possible to be successful in this career with only a high school degree. In fact, our research shows that one out of every three finish carpenters were not college graduates.

Those finish carpenters who do attend college, typically earn either a business degree or a general studies degree. Less commonly earned degrees for finish carpenters include a construction management degree or a drafting and design degree.

Once you've obtained the level of education you're comfortable with, you might start applying to companies to become a finish carpenter. We've found that most finish carpenter resumes include experience from PeopleReady, Aerotek, and ISEC. Of recent, PeopleReady had 16 positions open for finish carpenters. Meanwhile, there are 13 job openings at Aerotek and 13 at ISEC.

Since salary is important to some finish carpenters, it's good to note that they are figured to earn the highest salaries at Turner Construction, Midwest Construction Products, and H.J. Martin and Son. If you were to take a closer look at Turner Construction, you'd find that the average finish carpenter salary is $57,604. Then at Midwest Construction Products, finish carpenters receive an average salary of $54,834, while the salary at H.J. Martin and Son is $51,896.

View more details on finish carpenter salaries across the United States.

If you earned a degree from the top 100 educational institutions in the United States, you might want to take a look at Tradesmen International, KBR, and Blue Ridge. These three companies have hired a significant number of finish carpenters from these institutions.

The three companies that hire the most prestigious finish carpenters are:

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What Masons Do

A mason is responsible for shaping artificial mineral products, concrete blocks, stone pieces, and bricks to create structures essential for construction or other building purposes using various machinery and equipment, following the highest safety standards and production procedures. Masons analyze schematics and blueprints, applying the clients' specifications and customization to their product expertise. They also inspect tools and equipment, ensuring that the materials are free from any defects to avoid hazards and construction delays.

In this section, we take a look at the annual salaries of other professions. Take mason for example. On average, the masons annual salary is $3,013 lower than what finish carpenters make on average every year.

Even though finish carpenters and masons have vast differences in their careers, a few of the skills required to do both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require construction projects, power saws, and commercial buildings in the day-to-day roles.

There are some key differences in responsibilities as well. For example, a finish carpenter responsibilities require skills like "hand tools," "custom cabinets," "safety rules," and "drywall installation." Meanwhile a typical mason has skills in areas such as "masonry," "scaffolding," "safety regulations," and "dump truck." This difference in skills reveals how truly different these two careers really are.

The education levels that masons earn is a bit different than that of finish carpenters. In particular, masons are 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a finish carpenter. Additionally, they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What Are The Duties Of a Construction Foreman?

A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays. They also identify cost-reduction opportunities by handling negotiation with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. A construction foreman inspects the quality of materials, including the equipment and machinery, allocates adequate resources for production, and resolves issues immediately.

Now we're going to look at the construction foreman profession. On average, construction foremen earn a $10,134 higher salary than finish carpenters a year.

While the salary may be different for these job positions, there is one similarity and that's a few of the skills needed to perform certain duties. We used info from lots of resumes to find that both finish carpenters and construction foremen are known to have skills such as "hand tools," "safety rules," and "construction projects. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are worth noting. For example, finish carpenter responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "custom cabinets," "drywall installation," "door hardware," and "window installation." Meanwhile, a construction foreman might be skilled in areas such as "work ethic," "cdl," "osha," and "strong work ethic." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Construction foremen may earn a higher salary than finish carpenters, but construction foremen earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $62,811. On the other side of things, finish carpenters receive higher paychecks in the construction industry where they earn an average of $50,876.

In general, construction foremen study at similar levels of education than finish carpenters. They're 0.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

How a Journeyman Compares

A journeyman is an experienced worker whose role will vary on the line of industry where one is involved. They work without supervision from a master craftsman. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around performing manual work such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical tasks, and other forms of trade. Furthermore, a journeyman can choose whether to work independently or to be part of a business entity. They can also recruit and train an apprentice, or even pursue to become a master in their preferred field.

The third profession we take a look at is journeyman. On an average scale, these workers bring in higher salaries than finish carpenters. In fact, they make a $10,695 higher salary per year.

While looking through the resumes of several finish carpenters and journeymen we discovered that both professions have similar skills. These similarities include skills such as "hand tools," "power saws," and "commercial buildings," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers as shown by resumes from each profession. Some of those differences include the skills required to complete responsibilities within each role. As an example of this, a finish carpenter is likely to be skilled in "custom cabinets," "safety rules," "drywall installation," and "door hardware," while a typical journeyman is skilled in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "safety procedures," and "plumbing."

Interestingly enough, journeymen earn the most pay in the construction industry, where they command an average salary of $62,379. As mentioned previously, finish carpenters highest annual salary comes from the construction industry with an average salary of $50,876.

When it comes to education, journeymen tend to earn similar education levels than finish carpenters. In fact, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Description Of a General Foreman

Using their knowledge and expertise of all construction disciplines, a general foreman plans and oversees operations within a construction site to ensure that everything is running smoothly. They are typically in charge of conducting regular inspections, coordinating with engineers and architects, managing the budget and expenditures, supervising workers, and ensuring that the project moves according to the desired time frame. Furthermore, a general foreman implements all safety regulations and policies to ensure a safe and productive work environment for everyone.

The fourth career we look at typically earns higher pay than finish carpenters. On average, general foremen earn a difference of $1,530 higher per year.

While their salaries may vary, finish carpenters and general foremen both use similar skills to perform their jobs. Resumes from both professions include skills like "safety rules," "construction projects," and "power saws. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a finish carpenter might have more use for skills like "hand tools," "custom cabinets," "drywall installation," and "door hardware." Meanwhile, some general foremen might include skills like "safety procedures," "osha," "quality standards," and "oversight" on their resume.

General foremen earn a higher salary in the construction industry with an average of $54,753. Whereas, finish carpenters earn the highest salary in the construction industry.

General foremen reach similar levels of education when compared to finish carpenters. The difference is that they're 1.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree more, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Updated October 2, 2020